Survey: Providers share common challenges as ICD-10 approaches
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The researchers invited employees of 23 healthcare organizations to participate in the study, to which seven agreed, although one later requested to be removed from the results. Interviews were conducted during March and April of 2010 and follow up interviews were conducted with two of the seven organizations in July 2011.
“As expected, the cohort of healthcare providers selected for this study was at the helm of the adoption curve for the ICD-10-CM/PCS coding transition,” Veronica E. Jackson, MHSA, and Alexander Muckerman, BA, wrote in a report published in the winter issue of the Perspectives in Health Information Management. “However, with the exception of a few respondents, results show that as of April 2010 even large providers were still in the planning stages of the transition and were working to raise awareness within their organizations."
The researchers compiled lists of what they determined to be common trends, challenges and lessons learned for the healthcare organizations:
Trends
- Employees with executive decision-making ability in five of the organizations were largely aware of developments regarding the transition to ICD-10;
- Each organization had appointed project managers and steering committees to monitor the transition;
- Five of the organizations were in the early stages of conducting impact assessments;
- Five of the organizations had yet to budget significant amounts of funds for the transition;
- Three of the organizations reported that training was the most costly component of the transition;
- Four of the organizations predicted quality improvements as a result of the transition; and
- All of the organizations had different opinions on the impact ICD-10 might have on EHRs and vendor readiness.
Challenges
- The organizations expressed concern with the regulatory and financial requirements, reporting that it was difficult to create a sense of urgency among staff and to concurrently deal with the transition while also managing other recently implemented regulations;
- Four organizations reported that it was difficult to raise awareness among physicians;
- One organization reported that it was difficult to locate timely, accurate information about the transition;
- One organization reported that it was difficult to coordinate with payors on the transition; and
- Three organizations reported that they expect difficulty staffing for the transition.
Lessons learned
- A sense of urgency should be established throughout organizations;
- An internal project manager or external consultant should be appointed to oversee the transition;
- Opportunities for collaboration with payors should be identified and utilized;
- Staying up-to-date on transition news should be a priority; and
- Be prepared for the strain that transition will place on staffing needs.
Follow-up interviews, according to the report, revealed greater emphasis on planning, organizing and budgeting to prepare for the transition.
Researchers concluded that in April 2010, approximately three and a half years before the transition deadline, most providers were still in the planning stages of implementation and were working to raise awareness within their organizations.
To view the report, go here.