Clinical coding audit plans

So how accurate is your clinical coding data?

Imagine if that question came from your hospital’s executive. What would you say?

It’s at that point you realise that those ad hoc clinical coding audits every two to three years will not answer the question.

Clinical coding or health classification, quality is underpinned by conducting regular clinical coding audits. Providing timely and precise feedback to your clinical coding team will strengthen their skill set and provide certainty in your coding data.

As Health Information Managers (HIMs), Clinical Coding Auditors, Coding Educators and Clinical Coders, we all play a vital role in ensuring the quality of our coded data and it’s ultimately our responsibility.

Get some structure with an audit plan

The best place to begin is with the development of a robust coding audit plan. A coding audit plan needs clear outcomes and should include the following variables:

  • How many episodes you need
  • Which episodes you need to select
  • When to conduct each audit
  • Who is to complete each audit
  • How feedback is presented to the clinical coders, management and executive teams

As our coding environment changes rapidly, coding audit plans often involve regular revision and interpretation of complex coding data and Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs).

It’s any wonder that a clinical coding audit plan can be difficult to develop, implement and maintain each year.

Call in the experts

The Mamco team can support your Coding Manager or Health Information Managers (HIMs) to develop a tailored clinical coding audit plan that’s both effective and achievable. We work closely with your team to implement best practice processes for the audit plan.

Contact us today to discuss how we can assist you in the preparation of coding audit reports and other medical coding services.