External Coding Audits: Make the Most of Yours
Time and time again I meet with HIM Directors who fail to realize the full benefit of an external coding audit. Most of the time it’s because audit or recommendations aren’t implemented and corrective actions aren’t taken. Time gets spent. Money gets wasted. But a return on investment is never achieved.
External coding audits require HIM management time, coding resources and a significant piece of the departmental budget. Merely completing an audit accomplishes very little unless HIM directors take a serious look at auditor recommendations, correct deficiencies and improve processes.
Here are three ways to ensure your organization gets the most from your next external coding audit.
- Prepare for the audit (set clear goals, secure executive support, prepare coders, and identify cases)
- Manage the audit (communicate and coordinate with IT, coding management and auditors)
- Review and implement recommendations (conduct exit interviews, use final report as action list, conduct education based on findings, measure improvement)
While some external auditors are now conducted remotely, most are still performed on-site at the hospital or physician practice location. If external auditors come on-site, here are a few final tips to help ease the process and expedite results:
- Set up auditor access to any hospital or physician practice information systems before they arrive.
- Find space for the auditors and reserve it for the entire time.
- Review coding summary reports and make sure they include everything the organization needs, or wants.
- Secure administrative support for the external auditing team.
- Get two exit interviews (executive and coding) on everyone’s schedule ahead of time .
To read more about making the most of external coding audits, visit my article on this topic at: http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahima/bok1_043989.hcsp?dDocName=bok1_043989