Forest, Virginia, United States
Senior level professional with 25+ years progressive experience in small, large, academic, level I trauma, not for profit and for profit settings with a proven record in Health Information Management (HIM) leadership and project management. Experience includes assisting hospital wide teams for implementing and updating EHRs and document management systems, TJC & CMS survey readiness and ICD-10 transition. Successes with operations include operational assessments with recommendations & implementations, process workflow redesign, staff education / development, quality & productivity standards development, outsource services management and staff restructuring which resulted in "best practices", decreased DNFB/CFB and delinquent chart rate, higher service levels & cost savings with contracts, stronger individual team members and more efficient staffing models. Successes with projects include assisting with implementing Meditech and McKesson EHRs, implementing a CDI program, implementing CIOX release of information services, enhancing Epic and Cerner workflows, implementing Nuance and M*Modal enterprise dictation/transcription systems, forms management and reducing DNFB/CFB. Always willing to go "the extra mile" with energy and a sense of humor. Able to stay focused and calm in a chaotic, change-oriented environment.
System Coding (facility and professional), CDI, Appeals and HIM Operations
Sutter Health. 23 hospitals with HIM Shared Services. HIM Leadership
Maine Medical Center. 600+ bed tertiary hospital, level I trauma center, academic ICD-10 Inpatient Consultant
OPTUM360 Revenue Cycle Consulting (Coding, CDI, HIM) Performed CAC Readiness Assessments to include operational preparedness, change management, workflow management and baseline KPI management at multi-hospital organizations. Consulted with clients to define needs, gathered and analyzed data and recommended solutions. Managed ICD-10 transition at a regional healthcare system with four acute care hospitals, medical practice group and post-acute care facilities. Developed roadmap for expanding Coding Audit and Education Program to include all patient type coders and role for a Director of Coding Education for a regional healthcare system with thirty-five acute care hospitals.
Rochester General Health System. 528 bed tertiary care hospital with level I trauma center, academic; 120 bed acute care hospital; Long term care facilities; Behavioral Health Network; 40+ Medical Practices; 125+ FTEs and contract staff. Assessed, recommended and implemented a Coding and CDI staffing model. Assisted with ICD-10 readiness including educational needs and a dual coding plan. Evaluated DNFB processes and targets; Enhanced coding screens; Modified WQs & edits and removed non-coding functions from coder duties. Actions resulted in decreased total A/R Days in Coding from 3.5 to 1.5 or less and increased coder productivity. Developed HIM Telework Agreement and Coder/CDI Recruitment & Retention Plan. Coordinated coder assessments, cross-training, A&P refresher courses and ICD-10 training. Contracted external coding compliance reviews and follow-up education. Contracted with additional coding vendors. Transitioned CDI staff from a home grown program to a vendor model. Revised and created HIM job descriptions for Coding, CDI, RAC and Operations to include experience, education and credentials to meet current and future workforce needs. Assessed operations to include transcription, document imaging, record completion, records storage, tumor registry, birth recording and release of information; Redesigned workflow processes; and recommended staffing model.