Productivity benchmarks
HIM Connection, October 20, 2009
Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIM Connection!
With audit contractors scrutinizing coding accuracy and an upcoming transition to the ICD-10 coding system, coder productivity is more important than ever.
During an August 18 HCPro audio conference, “Benchmarking Coder Productivity to Improve Efficiency and Justify FTEs,” Rose T. Dunn, MBA, RHIA, CPA, FACHE, COO of First Class Solutions in Maryland Heights, MO, discussed the results of HCPro’s 2009 coder productivity benchmarking survey and provided tips on how to assess standards.
According to the results, respondents from inpatient facilities expected the following from their coders:
Inpatient records
- 12%: Fewer than three records
- 30%: Three records per hour
- 14%: 3.5 to 3.75 records per hour
- 10%: Four records per hour
- 6% Greater than four records per hour
- 29%: Not applicable
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) released benchmarking data in 2007 and 2004, respectively. The respondents in those surveys had expectations similar to those of HCPro’s survey respondents. However, Dunn noted two areas that were vastly different from the survey data: the ED and ancillary.
The AHIMA data showed an expectation of 15 records per hour, whereas the HFMA data listed 24 per hour in the ED. For ancillary, AHIMA indicated 30 records per hour, whereas HFMA showed 55.
Note: For more results from this survey, visit the HCPro Web site.Subscribers to Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies have access to this article in the October issue of the newsletter.
Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIM Connection!
Related Products
Most Popular
- Articles
-
- HealthDataInsights posts new issues for medical necessity claims
- New FAQ posted on storing laryngoscope blades
- Q&A: Incidental disclosures and patient privacy
- What does case-mix index mean to you?
- Tip of the Week: Treat faculty orientation like resident orientation
- Capturing all necessary codes for IUD insertion and removal can be challenging
- Q/A: New device pass-through categories
- Topic: CMS, OESS post new security compliance review information, checklist
- 2012 CPT code changes for ASCs: Shoulder and knee scopes and pain management
- News and briefs: GA may increase residency number s across state, but cut main hospital?s budget
- E-mailed
-
- Featured blog post: Nurses face felony charges after reporting physician to the Texas Medical Board
- What does case-mix index mean to you?
- Tip: Know the common bunionectomy procedure codes and how to use them
- Code changes should help ease the pain when coding for facet joint injections
- Documentation and coding for toxic metabolic encephalopathy
- News and briefs: UA study links lack of empathy in residents to long shifts
- OB services: Coding inside and outside of the package
- Don't let improper discharge disposition codes fly under the radar at your facility
- Discharge Planning Under the MDS 3.0
- Correctly code for new cardiac, pulmonary rehab benefits
- Searched