Best Practice Clearinghouse

The Foundation of Research and Education (FORE) Practice Solutions and Best Practice Awards programs recognize those who have contributed significantly to the improvement of the daily practice of HIM or the long-term management of health information. An integral piece of these award programs is facilitating the exchange of such innovative ideas and practical solutions among HIM professionals, enabling them to learn from, and build on, the achievements of other HIM practitioners to meet common challenges in the workplace and continue to perform with excellence.

Click on the titles below to view Journal of AHIMA articles profiling award winning best practices and summaries of practice solutions.

Best Practice Profiles

The Pursuit of Excellence in Medical Record Reviews - 2001 award winner
Mary Nelson, RHIA and Shari Aman, RN, CPHQ of Sioux Valley Hospital USD Medical Center
The ongoing medical record review program at Sioux Valley Hospital USD Medical Center needed reenergizing: the results weren’t taken seriously or producing the needed improvements. Using tools from the Joint Commission, an HIM professional and a performance improvement coordinator redesigned the process, making it more efficient and more effective. Here’s how they did it.

Transcription System Overhaul Reaps Savings, Efficiency - First Prize 2000
Joan Hicks, MS, RHIA; Mike Waldrum, MD, MS; Valeria Wilson, MS; and Jeffrey Marwill, MS, of the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation
Needing to integrate the data of its 500,000 annual patients, this clinic first considered upgrading its transcription services, but then opted to overhaul the entire clinical access information system. The result was improved access, quality, and efficiency.

A New Approach to Chargemaster Management - Second Prize 2000
John Richey, MBA, RHIA, of Mercy Health Partners
After examining their charge description master management process, HIM professionals, in conjunction with clinical and support departments, redesigned and automated several practice aspects. Turnaround times were reduced and end users are happier.

Remote Coding at Home: Tips for Success - Third Prize 2000
Jennifer Shearer, RHIA, of Inova Fairfax Hospital
For staff at Inova Fairfax Hospital, coding at home had been a long unattainable goal. A new approach to the project, coupled with the support of an ASP, helped them make it a reality—and a success.

Coders Join Forces with Physicians to Improve Clinical Outcomes - First Prize 1999
Janice R. Noller, RHIA, CCS, CPHQ, of Covenant Medical Center
As part of a project to investigate high complication rates, coders at this facility found themselves working to improve communication, physician understanding of coder issues, and data quality.

Building a Clinical Audit Process - Second Prize 1999
Vera Rulon, RHIT, CCS, of Pfizer, Inc., and Lorraine Tully, RHIT, of Oxford Health Plans
For Oxford Health Plans, a new clinical audit process became a way to address claims submission issues and save money. Here’s how HIM professionals came to the fore as this program was built from the ground up.

Simplified Deficiency Processing Brings Hospital-wide Benefits - Third Prize 1999
Darice M. Grzybowski, MA, RHIA, of Adventist Health Systems Midwest
Unhappy physicians, frustrated HIM staff, and an administration seeking to cut costs led to a major overhaul of a hospital’s incomplete record processing practice. By taking full advantage of new technology and adopting an innovative approach to processing deficiencies, the hospital saved money and time.

Practice Solutions
Development of Language-Interpreter Consent Form
Glennda Gore, RHIA, of McAlester Regional Health Center
McAlester Regional Health Center created a language interpreter consent form to help comply with upcoming HIPAA standards and ensure patient confidentiality in all aspects of health care. This summary includes a sample form.

Coding Implementation Satisfied both Coders and Management
Scottie Ann Frey, RHIA of the University of Virginia Health Systems
This practice reduced the time required to abstract an account and decreased the downtime hours for maintenance utilities while improving coder satisfaction. This summary includes a sample form.

HIPAA Collaborative of Wisconsin
Chrisann Lemery, RHIA, Nancy Davis, RHIA, Reesa Gottschalk, RHIA, and Sheila Zweifel, RHIT
The HIPAA Collaborative of Wisconsin (HIPAA-COW) streamlines HIPAA implementation in Wisconsin through the reduction of duplicate efforts, opportunities for partnering on implementation issues and initiatives, and educational sessions. Its membership includes payors, providers, health plan representatives, government agencies, advocacy groups, legal firms, and others impacted by HIPAA. Additional information and sample forms are available on the HIPAA-COW Web site.

For more information on the Best Practice and Practice Solution Award Programs, contact us at fore@ahima.org or at (312) 233-1100.

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