While not every facility requires CDI staff to earn the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) credential, roughly 3,500 CDI professionals now hold the certification. For many, obtaining the credential illustrates that they’ve reached a career milestone and a level of expertise...Read More »
Steven L. Griffin, MSN, RN, CCM, CCDS, is the director of CDI at Baycare Health System in Clearwater, Florida, and he’s soon to be a doctor of nursing practice too.Read More »
By Melissa Varnavas
That seems like a tall order, doesn’t it? Who really understands healthcare reimbursement in this complicated day and age, in this private payer, social security, Medicare, Medicaid, who’s–defrauding–whom world? Calling reimbursement an “ever-changing system”...Read More »
by Cathy A. Farraher, RN, BSN, MBA, CCM, CCDS
When most CDI managers or directors meet up with C-suite executives (the head-honcho administrative staff members whose titles all begin with the word “chief”), they typically arrive armed with the latest data regarding the case mix...Read More »
ACDIS celebrated its 10th birthday last month—not coincidentally the anniversary of CMS DRGs also. “I’ve never hesitated to say that’s partly why we took off,” said ACDIS Director Brian Murphy on the September 27...Read More »
When asked to describe their job, many CDI professionals explain that they help physicians and coders paint an accurate picture of the care provided to patients. But how can CDI programs flip the canvas and dip their brushes to paint their own self-portrait?
By Jocelyn E. Murray, RN, CCDS
What are the similarities and differences between CDI audits and coding compliance audits? Are both necessary? It’s our collective responsibility to provide the insight that defines the two specialties and the critical efforts both bring to the table...Read More »