Saturday, November 30, 2013

ICD-10 Training Programs For Pediatrics

Many children’s hospitals and pediatric groups are looking ahead and beginning preparations for the new coding set, ICD-10. The new system will surely present challenges for documentation specialists and coding professionals. With greater detail and an increased number of codes, ICD-10 will allow for greater specificity. This may present obstacles for those who are proficient in ICD-9. Preparation is key for the new coding set, and having a strategy in place to streamline documentation efforts will only benefit staff when the transition begins.


ICD-10 training is a critical step in preparation that can give employees the skills they need to become familiar with the changes ahead. In addition to training for the new coding set, seeking out solutions for documentation improvement prior to implementation of ICD-10 is a critical step towards a better transition. DCBA, a pediatric documentation improvement solutions provider, has helped hundreds of healthcare organizations across America to increase compliance, improve quality score, and improve CMI. With years of experience, and proven strategies, DCBA brings a results driven approach that has been proven time and time again.

Pediatric Documentation & ICD-10 Training For Hospitals

Healthcare providers are gearing up for implementation of the new ICD-10 coding system. With 5 times as many codes as ICD-9, there will be many new challenges faced by organizations. The increased number of codes will allow for greater specificity. Some professionals even claim that if organizations haven’t begun their preparations, it may be too late.

It is vital for organizations to take steps to get ready for the new system. Pediatric clinical documentation improvement programs and training courses are a great way to begin making strides towards successful implementation of ICD-10. The sooner preparations can begin, the more chances pediatric healthcare organizations will have to educate physicians and staff on the coming changes. It is important to find a solutions provider who understands the industry as well as the individual needs of different groups. DCBA brings years of experience to the table to analyze and find the right answers for any children’s healthcare organization.

DCBA inc provides ICD-10 training to get healthcare groups on the right path towards the new system. With on site education, DCBA can bring experts in to help staff get ready for the new challenges ahead. For organizations that are seeking to streamline documentation efforts and gain greater efficiency, pediatric clinical documentation improvement programs are the answer. With comprehensive software, leading industry professionals, and the experience of helping hundreds of hospitals and healthcare groups, DCBA can bring proven results to the field of children’s healthcare documentation.

ICD-10 Implementation: Keys For Pediatrics

The HHS pushed the ICD-10 implementation deadline back to October 2014 because they felt like it would maximize benefits to providers and minimize costs of delay. After weighing both the risks and consequences, the HHS felt that the delay provided the most regulatory balance. Even though the deadline has moved back, there is a great sense of urgency to prepare for the coming changes. Officials have stressed that hospitals need to begin making strides towards the new system.

Children’s hospitals face challenges that are unique to the field of pediatrics. With the implementation of ICD-10, there will be a new set of difficulties for coders and billing staff. An increased number of codes can mean greater specificity and those proficient in ICD-9 could have trouble adapting to the changes. Many children’s hospitals are seeking out the help of experienced consultants to assess their current state and prepare for the new system. Officials recommend not waiting, but instead, beginning a PDI program prior to ICD-10 implementation. This, in addition to training specifically for the new system, gives children’s hospitals the the greatest chances for a smooth transition.

DCBA provides on site education to prepare staff for ICD-10. They have also created CDI programs tailored to the unique field of pediatric medicine. DCBA brings years of experience from doctors, nurses, coders, and documentation specialists to consult with children’s hospitals and implement proven strategies for success. There has never been a better time to begin a PDI program than now. With comprehensive software and a detail oriented approach, DCBA brings real results to pediatric healthcare organizations.

Physician Education; ICD-10 Initiative

Education is one of the greatest things that hospitals can invest in for the future of their practice. By keeping staff up to date on changes and trends in the industry, greater results can be had across the board. One of the important things about education is to make sure that professionals are learning on level. Physicians will gain much for insights from others who have shared similar experiences.


Recent studies have shown that only about 37% of current physician documentation would meet the standards of ICD-10. For pediatric healthcare organizations who do not have a CDI program in place already, it is an essential step to gain results and streamline documentation efforts. Beyond getting ready for the transition to the new challenges that ICD-10 poses, CDI programs provide numerous other benefits which include: improving the quality of care and security of patients, more concise public reporting, reduction of denials and audits, less coding delays and physician queries, and an improved case mix index.

DCBA, a pediatric clinical documentation improvement solutions provider, has the experience and dedication to provide real results for your organization. With hundreds of success stories helping hospitals, clinics, and pediatric groups, DCBA brings in their experts to work with you. Onsite education is available to address the specific challenges and issues faced with ICD-10, and how they differ from ICD-9. In addition, electronic resources are available to staff to gain full benefit of the educational material.

Clinical Documentation and ICD-10 Preparation



Pediatric healthcare organizations face the ongoing process of maintaining accurate and successful documentation. The world of clinical documentation also faces new challenges with the conversion over to ICD-10. According to a recent study by ACDIS, 37 percent of respondents said that they were unaware if their organization had conducted an assessment of ICD-10 preparations.

One of the most important factors in developing a more effective documentation program is that both the physicians and administrative staff see the value of improving the process. It is essential for hospital administration and physicians to work together on common goals to have a successful program. PDI programs can be tailored to operate with an organization’s existing program, implementing strategies where needed to help increase both productivity and profitability.

DCBA, a CDI solutions provider, knows what it takes to foster a successful documentation strategy. By consulting with professionals across the country, they can stay up to date with current trends, issues, and news in the industry. DCBA can provide on site education as well as online resources for staff. With years of experience creating solutions for healthcare organizations, they bring the combined knowledge of industry professionals to find the right strategies for any organization.  

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Why Clinical Documentation Improvement Is Necessary



Regardless of the deadline that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have decided on for the ICD-10 implementation, clinical documentation improvement is becoming a necessity for hospitals.




CDI, as it is typically used in hospitals, utilizes consultants who assess clinical documents and provide responses to physicians, says Dr. Robert Gold, CEO of DCBA. The responses given are intended to provide solutions to issues with documentation including questions about the coding used, quality, and management of the overall care of patients. As Dr. Gold Says,Paint the picture of the patient properly with words, so the coder can paint the same picture with codes.”

Healthcare organizations can realize positive changes in accuracy and compliance. Take a look at what this CDI Liaison Nurse had to say about working with DCBA’s team:
I am still amazed everyday at the intensity and level of cooperation with documentation from the majority of our physicians. And I don’t take credit for it. It is an expectation of the leadership here, the staff follow through willingly, and the rest just happens. The physicians are pretty accessible on the floors so we are able to make frequent contact with them and educate as needed. We even had a metabolic doc come up to us and ask how to document an unusual condition that was present on admission. Even the pediatric surgeons answer our queries. And we are presenting to the new docs coming on board at the end of the month. So life here is good.

CDI specialists can analyze queries and work with physicians on training. ICD-10 has become a motivating factor for many organizations to seek the assistance of CDI specialists. Proper documentation directly affects coding- the core of revenue and reimbursement. Accurate documentation is also essential for quality measure compliance as quality provides a foundation for care management and correct protocol procedures.

With so much to gain, many organizations have begun preparations for CDI with ICD-10 on the horizon.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

ICD-10 Training Pediatrics



ICD-10 training is becoming more and more relevant for pediatric hospitals. This change will create some new documentation challenges for coders and clinical documentation specialists. With the new standards differing from ICD-9, an increased number of codes will allow for more specificity. This could mean that those who were proficient in ICD-9 could have difficulty working through the new guidelines. Healthcare providers who have not yet put in place a strategy to prepare for the changes must realize that the clock is ticking.

In addition to the new challenges with ICD-10, clinical documentation improvement programs can help children’s healthcare organizations increase case mix index, billing accuracy, and hospital profiles. Documentation directly supports coding which can affect hospital reimbursement and revenue. Starting a CDI program could be a key survival strategy for pediatric hospitals. Education is an essential first step towards finding solutions in pediatric clinical documentation improvement.

DCBA helps pediatric healthcare organizations with on site education as well as electronic resources to get ready for ICD-10. They can also analyze processes and put strategies into place that help create quality documentation results. Keeping staff on the same page is important so giving the proper tools to physicians, nurses, and billing and coding specialist provide a cohesive effort toward more accurate documentation. Children are not adults, and thats why DCBA has created CDI programs specifically for children’s healthcare.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

ICD-10 Training Program



Most healthcare providers are bracing for ICD-10’s implementation next year. Many organizations have taken steps to prepare for the coming shift, but there are still groups who need assistance. Two keys for preparation are to gain ICD-10 training for employees and seeking out a clinical documentation improvement program to strengthen understanding and gain consistency.

ICD-10 will mean greater specificity for documentation and coding staff. Those who are proficient in ICD-9 may have difficulties with ICD-10 without necessary preparation. For instance, diabetes as a condition has expanded to over 200 codes, a significant leap from the 60 something codes prior. But, because our practices have changed greatly since ICD-9 was implemented in the late 70’s, the need for a new system is upon us (some would say overdue.)

The greater specificity of ICD-10 isn’t frightening, it is essential and will be much better for health care in the long run. DCBA, a clinical documentation improvement company, has been helping clients all over the country prepare for the coming changes that ICD-10 will bring. By working directly with staff with industry professionals, they provide comprehensive solutions to get pediatric hospitals prepared. Documentation improvement programs hold many advantages that can lead to increased compliance, productivity, and revenue.