Health info managers turn to third-party resources, automated tools
As the ICD-10 compliance deadline edges closer and Meaningful Use lurches forward, providers have a heap of IT challenges on their plate, according to a January report from KLAS.
“With ICD-10 and Meaningful Use converging at the same time, along with reduced reimbursements and other regulatory changes descending upon healthcare organizations, health information management challenges will only continue to mount,” the report read.
A survey of 182 providers revealed that technology (34 percent), regulations (27 percent) and staffing (17 percent) were the biggest challenges currently facing health information management departments, according to the Orem, Utah-based market researcher. Transcription, staff education and coding were also cited as top challenges by some respondents.
In the healthcare reform era, many are turning to third-party assistance and automated tools to help manage the change. Survey responses revealed that many provider organizations are in need of additional coders to manage the transition to ICD-10 and that demand for transcription services is decreasing.
While few organizations currently utilize computer-assisted coding software, nearly 50 percent said they would likely invest in it to keep up with ICD-10 requirements. In 2010, 28 percent of providers told KLAS they would increase transcription, but that number has fallen to 11 percent in the most recent survey. In addition to investments in computer-assisted coding, 32 percent said they would invest in an EHR in the next two years and 31 percent said they would invest in speech recognition software.
“Staff shortages along with clinical adoption of technology, shifting volumes of work and the need for specialized expertise are all challenges many health information management departments are forced to navigate,” the report read. “As providers assess their ability to tackle these challenges in their go-forward strategies, many have chosen to engage third-party assistance.”