Posted by Jonathan on February 24, 1998 at 15:40:56:
In Reply to: Re: ER Problem posted by Rich Spurr on February 20, 1998 at 09:32:37:
: : : Now that we have a goal, what process needs to be implemented to acheive that goal, and what tools are needed?
: : We need to determine what percent of charges are being lost.
: : TO do this you would need to pull a precent of ER charts
: : and review the chart for what was charged and what was not charged.
: : After this data is collected you can determine the percent of lost charges and set a more specific target.
: : I would then investigate the common charges for all patients and explore options to
: : bundle charge all patients a flat rate and then use a charge sheet or sticker charge option to capture the extra items
: : you could also look at it according to DRG's and come up with bundle charges according to specific DRG codes
: : In response to lost ER charges: The hospital that I presently work at utilizes stickers that have charge codes on them. However,
: due to patient care, some of these charges that should go on, do not make it. The reason is that the Er personnel
: stick the stickers to their uniforms and sometimes forget which patient to charge for.
: My solution is to post a charge card on each door of the Er room as each patient is treated.
: As the patient is being treated and supplies used, the stickers need to placed on the charge card
: as soon as they are used. I have seen many times when the nurses at the end of the shift are trying
: to figure which sticker goes on which patients' charge record. This is how billing mistakes are made
: and certain patients overcharged for things that they were never given.
Rich, again this depends on people to do the charging. I think this is where the problem comes. Need to depend on our technology to generate the charges, not the staff.