Many case managers today feel like they're overburdened, but it may not be clear whether they're actually shouldering too much work. This is because the industry doesn't really have any validated figures indicating what the typical caseload is-or should be, says Pat Stricker, MEd, RN, senior consultant at CMI in Little Rock, AR.
HIPAA and HITECH have resulted in a whole new career for Tom Dumez, CHP. As human resources director at a records management company, Dumez's job in the last few years has taken a new direction-training others how to comply with HIPAA.
When Mac McMillan, CISSP, CEO of CynergisTek in Austin, TX, picked up the phone recently, he had a very nervous hospital administrator on the other end.
HIM directors must renew efforts in the new year to ensure the effectiveness of EHR quality monitors. With increased attention on HIPAA 5010 requirements and instituting ICD-10, focusing on the quality of your medical records may sometimes take a backseat to other priorities. However, as inaccurate data tends to affect all areas of HIM-not to mention patient care-taking an active role in developing quality measures will ultimately save time and money in the long run and help ensure quality care for patients. Developing a plan for managing data integrity before issues occur will free up time for HIM staff to focus on other initiatives.
