2012 - The Year of "The Details"

What will the year ahead bring to our profession?  I suspect that depends largely on us.  The economy hasn't recovered like any of us probably had hoped.  Unemployment is still way too high and the mad dash to implement EHR technology has resulted in a real contraction of the use of our services.  Yet I still believe there are reasons to be optimistic. 


Why you may ask?  Because the capture of the details of every unique patient is still critical to achieving improved patient safety - period.  To shortcut that in any way will not get us to that goal.  ICD-10 will require more detail.  Better quality outcomes is largely contingent upon ensuring all the details of a patient's history.  And honestly, healthcare organizations cannot afford a further marginalization of their revenue - and in order to avoid that, they need the details.  The details that cannot be placed on the shoulders of physicians who are already working at or near capacity. 


Did you hear in the news about the new data on infant mortality rates?  I did and I was appalled.  If you recall, a few years back we finished in 29th place globally.  A dismal number indeed.  The recent 2011 numbers are out and we are now in an abyssmal 41st place world-wide.  Not only have we not improved that number, we have sunk further behind nations like Malaysia and Cuba in our ability to improve infant mortality rates.  Does this sound appropriate for the nation that spends more on healthcare than any other? 


The realization that medical transcription/editing must continue on in EHR technology is gaining momentum.  Health Story Project and the HL7 approved language (CDA) enables it.  EHR vendors will need to get on board.  AHIMA has launched and completed a toolkit for their members that outline the best practices for inclusion of medical transcription in the EHR.  It will be out within the next month or two.  So I will share with you the optimism that I have for our future.  What can you do?  Stay engaged, get credentialed, keep informed, work with your employer towards solutions and new opportunities and continue your education if that is where you see this evolving.  It is what I see.