Research

Perhaps the most critical components of an effective clinical documentation improvement (CDI) program—physician education and engagement—often prove to be two of the most difficult to achieve given physicians’ already overflowing workloads. Recognizing this, revenue cycle leaders across the country have been strategizing methods to strengthen physicians’ relationships with clinical documentation specialists (CDSs). Once secured, such rapport can result in physicians taking a more active role in documentation improvement, thus helping to protect reimbursement in advance of pressing industry shifts like ICD-10.

To learn more about one organization’s innovative strategies in this area, The Academy recently spoke with quality and clinical documentation leaders at an integrated academic health system in Arizona. Throughout this conversation, the leaders at this organization shared their tactics for cultivating strong relationships with clinicians across the health system's service lines, as well as for keeping education fresh and memorable in physicians’ minds.

Designing an Education-Based Documentation Program
At this Arizona-based provider, the CD