First steps for synergizing health IT projects.

摘要

ONCE AN ORGANIZATION identifies which initiatives can interrelate with ICD-10-CM/PCS, it is tasked with the next and hardest step-figuring out specifically how to align and leverage otherwise separate efforts. Overlap does exist in the work effort required to launch and maintain these initiatives (see Figure 1). It is this overlap that allows organizations to simultaneously reduce the pain of ICB-10 conversion and achieve efficiencies in carrying out the other health IT projects.Start Implementing Changes Now The process used by many healthcare facilities to improve computerized physician order entry (CPOE) and demographics data entry in order to qualify for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' "meaningful use" EHR Incentive Program incentives is quite similar to how healthcare facilities will need to improve their data in order to meet ICD-10 coding requirements. Organizations should conduct an assessment to identify their current weakness areas for ICD-9 data completeness in the electronic health record (EHR). This information can then be used to develop an action plan to determine the performance improvements needed to adequately address ICD-10 codes.