H.I.Mentors NewsWatch, January 2015 

From Darice’s Desk:

Welcome 2015! It’s an exciting New Year, and we are pleased to announce the 10^th Anniversary of H.I.Mentor's consulting services! How nice to be helping clients successfully tackle problems and improve processes for over a decade.  Whether it’s an assessment to identify best practices, using our HIMetrix® software to help track performance indicators, or a coding and documentation audit to help you prepare for ICD-10 CM/PCS–we appreciate the opportunity to make a difference in your organization’s success.
 
We hope you enjoyed the time with your family during the holidays and are on course to meet your -2015 objectives.  While I can empathize with your worry over the uncertainty of the actual ICD-10 implementation–the reality is, we are a short nine months out from the current Federal Register “go live” date of October 1, 2015! 
 
From the calls I am receiving, some of you still haven’t fully implemented your training and documentation improvement programs. In addition, many EHR systems continue to disappoint in usability and workflow support, making it more difficult to obtain improved efficiencies in the coding process. 

That's why in this newsletter we are reviewing five key steps to help prepare for ICD-10! 

Darice Grzybowski, MA, RHIA, FAHIMA, AHIMA Academy Approved ICD-10 CM/PCS Trainer, 
President, H.I.Mentors LLC

 Quick Tips for preparing for ICD-10
 
 
Step one:  Perform an HIM assessment to support your ICD-10-CM/PCS planning—for system readiness, conversion parameters, implementation plans, staffing needs, productivity, education requirements along with your overall current ICD-10 transition strategy.
 
Step two:  Audit medical records (paper/electronic)—for clinical documentation and coding accuracy in both ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM and develop best practice report cards and recommendations (from documentation to billing).
 
Step three:  Provide ICD-10 education and training programs—for physicians, documentation specialists, coders and ancillary staff.
 
Step four:  Work on data and documentation integrity improvement—starting with an analysis of all key data elements collected in your coding and abstracting process.
 
Step five:  Evaluate your staff productivity—with a formal assessment of gaps between your current operations and best practices in coder productivity and measure yourself with benchmarking analytics software.

Events, Conferences, and Tradeshow News

Darice Grzybowski, MA, RHIA, FAHIMA, President of H.I.Mentors will be speaking at the following conferences:
 
MARCH
Ohio Health Information Management Association (OHIMA) –
Columbus, OH Hilton
 
   Document Integrity through the Legal Health Record
                  Date: Monday, March 23, 2015
                  Time: 1:15 - 2:30 pm & 2:45 - 4:00 pm
 
APRIL
Illinois Health Information Management Association (ILHIMA)  - *Keynote Address – Springfield, IL, Crowne Plaza
               
   Operationalizing Information Government to Improve the Integrity of the EHR
               Date: Thursday, April 9, 2015
               Time: 8:15 – 9:15 am
 
HIMSS – Chicago McCormick Convention Center, Room S103
 
   Document and Data Integrity in the Legal Health Record
               Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2015
               Time: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
 
Kansas Health Information Management Association (KHIMA) –
Junction City, KS   Courtyard Marriot
 
   Operationalizing Information Governance to Improve Integrity of the EHR
                Date: Friday, April 17, 2015  
                Time: 8:00-9:00am
 
   How to Succeed at Healthcare Politics – Getting a Seat at the EHR Table
                Date: Friday, April 17^th, 2015  
                Time: 10:45 am-12 Noon
 
MAY
Streamline Health Annual Client Conference *Keynote Address –
Jacksonville FL, (Location TBD)
 
   Electronic Document Management – The Heart of the Legal Health Record
                Date: Friday May 1, 2015
                Time: TBD
 

Solution of the Month:  ICD-10 Readiness Services

An H.I.Mentors' coding audit performed by our AHIMA Academy Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainers provides a great baseline measurement and training tool to help predict the impact of the new code set on your productivity and reimbursement. Remember changes in diagnostic coding impact both hospitals for UB-04 billing and professional, physician-based coding for the CMS 1500. H.I.Mentors can provide expert assistance for focusing your efforts to help mitigate risk and maintain productivity and reimbursement levels.

H.I.Mentors' solutions are designed to deliver a positive impact to your organization’s processes and help ensure a smooth and successful ICD-10 transition. Our hands-on mentoring approach helps facilities optimize their operations while improving bottom line performance pre-and post-ICD-10 implementation.
 

Throughout the year, we will be offering anniversary specials and hope you can take advantage of these to help your facilities. This quarter’s special offer—10% off pricing for a combined 100 chart minimum coding audit and clinical documentation education sessions for your HIM, CDI, and medical staff if booked prior to 4/1/15.
 
 

New Book: Strategies for Electronic Document and Health Record Management
 
Thanks to everyone who purchased a copy of the book, “Strategies for Electronic Document and Health Record Management” which was released in October 2014 by AHIMA.
 
This resource guide provides best practice guidance for facilities that are in the process of evolving to an EHR. It is designed for hospitals that have workflow issues or concerns with data and document integrity issues that could be impacting coding productivity, release of information, or related HIM and revenue cycle functions.
 
Copies are available at https://www.ahimastore.org/ProductDetailBooks.aspx?ProductID=17550 with discounts for AHIMA members. 
 
Available for Speaking Engagements
 
Darice Grzybowski, MA, RHIA, FAHIMA is now a member of the National Speakers Association and Illinois Speaker’s Association. Darice is available for keynote and event speaking engagements, including education and training programs.  

HIMentors would be happy to provide additional information about our programs and services.
Please contact us at info@himentors.com or call us at 708-352-3507.

Forward to a friend