With 20 initial "trial" audits completed, OCR expects to move forward with another 95 audits to measure HIPAA compliance before year's end, said Susan McAndrew, JD, OCR's deputy director for health information privacy. This represents a reduction in the number of audits (150) that were originally planned for 2012.
Leaders there established multidisciplinary barrier reduction teams (BRT) in late 2009, which are designed to increase efficiency and improve communication at the organization. The teams give staff members a way to speak up about issues that may hinder patient care and the discharge process.
The additions and revisions to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting in 2012 include some new information that coders should be aware of in preparation for ICD-10 implementation.
Making sure patients are prepared for discharge can be a tricky process. When certain laws are considered, getting patients to their next destination becomes even more complex.
