Health Information Management

Q&A: Standard rate of response from physicians

CDI Strategies, June 23, 2011

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Q:  Is there are industry standard for physician query response rate expectations? Our facilities have about an 85-92% response rate. We are wondering what the industry standard is.

A: I don’t know that there is an “industry standard” for physician response rates. My program had a target response rate of 100% and then we designed (and redesigned) our processes to make it a reality. Most consulting programs I’ve seen set a benchmark response rate of 85%-95%. According to the 2010 Physician Query Benchmarking report, the majority of respondents reported physician response rates at between 71-80% (see p. 20 of the report).
 
My personal belief is that if you lower your targets, you’ll always get less—the downward spiral phenomenon. So I suggest adopting an expectation of a 100% response rate, and working together as a team with your medical staff or physician advisor to determine the best method to work toward that goal. Of course, a goal like this is only achievable if you have administrative and medical staff support.
 
Editor’s Note: Lynne Spryszak, RN, CPC-A, CCDS, CDI education director for HCPro, Inc., in Danvers, MA, answered this question. Contact her at lspryszak@hcpro.com.



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