Conference conversations: Wilk explains what should (and shouldn’t) be in a review

Editor’s note: Deanne Wilk, BSN, RN, CCDS, CCS, will be presenting “What’s in a Review? Key Factors to Include and Exclude,” on Day 1 of the ACDIS conference. Wilk is the manager of clinical documentation improvement at Penn State Health in Hershey and a member of the ACDIS Advisory Board. This year’s conference takes place May 21-24 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Q: How did you develop your review process and how do you know what’s important to look for?

A: Our CDI process developed over time. We used my personal experience as a CDI specialist, training numerous employees, and learning the service lines, as to what to capture. 

We’ve also had years of analyzing and understanding how the review affects outcomes in studying the effect of diagnoses documented and knowing the coding requirements.

Q: What’s one thing attendees can expect to come away with from your session?

A: At the end of my session, attendees will have an understanding of what’s important to capture and not capture within a CDI review.

Q: What’s one key feature CDI professionals should always include in their reviews?

A: One thing CDI specialists should always include in their review is the clinical validation of the diagnoses. This is really what sets the CDI specialist apart as the expert in their field—it gets to the heart of why we do what we do.

Q: In what ways does your session challenge CDI professionals to think outside the box?

A: Every CDI specialist should evaluate what’s being captured in your review and the relevance of that information. Then, ask, “how are you capturing the quality measures necessary?”

Q: What one thing are you excited for at this year’s conference?

A: Always excited to learn from others, see old friends, and make new ones!

Q: Fun question: What’s your favorite candy of all time?

A: Snickers!