Australian classification and coding rules for COVID-19

The government and health system response to manage the outbreak of COVID-19 relies on data to inform decisions. The Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA) is responsible for the development and refinement of the classifications used to describe hospital patients and activities in Australia. IHPA has updated the national activity-based funding classifications to accommodate the emerging situation with COVID-19. This webinar will describe the rules developed by IHPA for coding and reporting of COVID-19 episodes of care in admitted, emergency department and non-admitted settings.

The webinar will provide an opportunity to ask questions about IHPA’s approach to issuing coding advice related to COVID-19 and the principles behind the implementation of the emergency use codes for COVID-19, although specific coding queries are expected to be submitted and addressed through normal processes.

Webinar Chair and Panel Facilitator: Jennie Shepheard

Panellists:

Natasha Smith, Director Health Informatics, Western Sydney Local Health District

Laura Royce, HIS Manager, St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne

Yvonne Seidel, Manager Coding Services, Mater Group

Janine Wapper, Director of Health Information for Central Australia Health Service

Registrations close COB Thursday 28 May 2020

Joanne has over 40 years of medical terminology and clinical coding experience. It is not just a job but a passion which she has shared with her students for over 20 years.

In this webinar Joanne will talk about clinical abbreviations, when they should and should not be used and how to get the right definition for the context. The difference between acronyms and abbreviations will also be explained.

Clinical abbreviations are a constant factor in clinical documentation. New abbreviations appear by the day, and then they change subtly over time. Eg the abbreviation 2019-nCoV first appeared in January then the official name became COVID-19, an acronym that will stick in our psyche for years to come. New procedures are developed and new tests are introduced too. Those trying to make sense of what is written in shorthand need an up-to-date resource at their fingertips.

Joanne will explain the features of The Australian Dictionary of Clinical Abbreviations, Acronyms and Symbols, both in hard copy and online versions. You will be shown how to search for an abbreviation, plus alerts for unacceptable abbreviations.

There will be some discussion on how to develop a list of unacceptable abbreviations for your workplace, as well as discussion on the difficulties of developing an acceptable multidisciplinary list.

You will have the opportunity to ask Joanne questions and to provide input into future editions of this valuable resource.

Nina is HIM professional with clinical coding and ABF experience in the Public & Private NSW Health Sectors. Nina & her team have implemented innovative & forward thinking initiatives that have re-invented WSLHD’s traditional coding workforce, including the largest local CDI structure nationally. WSLHDs initiatives evidence high quality coding & documentation and realistic benefits analysis & realisation that have proved essential in engaging clinicians and realise ready management of areas identified as in need of improvement in a manner regarded as the most mature in the NSW Health Sector.

During this webinar, Nina will discuss the early days of CDI, coding improvement initiatives undertaken by WSLHD, strategic direction and measuring benefit. She will focus on the impact of clinical documentation, modern CDI initiatives and CDI process for 2020 as well as clinical documentation integrity. This webinar is not to be missed if you have interest in evolving CDI. You would be able to ask questions during the webinar that Nina will address at the end of her presentation.

Registrations close COB Thursday 23 April