By Laurie L. Prescott, RN, MSN, CCDS, CDIP, CRC

I get way too many email messages. Cleaning out my mailbox is just too much work some days. Does that ever happen to you?

But there are certain emails I love to see; particularly the messages from Boot Camp students telling me they passed the CCDS exam. These emails leave me with a smile on my face and motivate me to continue working through my inbox.

Unfortunately, not every message is a positive one. I do hear from candidates who don’t succeed on their first attempt. First, I remind them that it’s not a failure if they step up and plan to retake the exam. Failure only happens if they decide not to try again.

Q: Would there be any legal or ethical issue if a CDI nurse did the discharge summery for a group of physicians and then they agree and sign off on them?

Providers should brush up on their MIPS knowledge and review reporting as the first quarter of 2018 draws to a close, via CMS’ recently released fact sheet.

A CERT review showed improper coding and insufficient documentation caused most improper payments for E/M services.

The rule includes updates to quality initiatives and changes to the 2019 ICD-10-CM/PCS codes. Coming in at 1,883 pages, this year’s proposal tops last year’s by 51 pages.

The report acknowledges the need for workplace flexibility and benefits of remote CDI work, but cautions matching such benefits with onsite physician engagement and program enhancements.

This week, the ACDIS team assembled some resources to help you break into the CDI profession.

ACDIS will reach out to its membership on an annual basis to promote local chapter growth for those which have a signed agreement on file. Leaders, however, can further participation themselves as well.

While the May/June edition of the CDI Journal hasn’t yet released, the ACDIS team already has their sights set on the July/August edition. And, we need your help.