Leveraging technology to improve outpatient CDI in Epic

In today’s healthcare environment, there is a growing need for efficient and effective clinical documentation improvement (CDI) processes. Outpatient CDI in Epic is a crucial aspect of this, as it can help ensure that patients receive the best possible care and outcomes. Leveraging technology is essential, allowing for more streamlined and accurate processes.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs).

One of the most crucial aspects of improving outpatient CDI in Epic is electronic health records (EHRs). EHRs are vital for healthcare providers as they provide a single, centralized location for all patient data. This data can include medical history, lab results, imaging studies, medication records, and more. By having all this information in one place, providers can make more informed decisions about patient care.

Besides, providers can utilize different features to improve outpatient CDI within Epic. For instance, Epic’s SmartForms feature allows providers to quickly and easily document a patient’s medical history, including any previous diagnoses or conditions. This information can help providers identify potential risk factors and ensure patients receive appropriate care. What’s more, Epic’s Clinical Decision Support (CDS) tools can provide real-time alerts and reminders to providers based on a patient’s medical history and current condition. That can help providers avoid errors and ensure patients receive the best care.

Natural language processing (NLP) Technology

Natural language processing (NLP) is a form of AI that withdraws information from disorganized data, such as clinical notes. With NLP, providers can quickly and precisely identify crucial information about a patient’s condition, like symptoms, medications, and diagnoses. Generally, this information improves documentation and ensures that patients receive appropriate care.

Hiteks Solutions is one company that is leveraging NLP. The company offers a range of NLP-powered tools that help providers identify potential clinical documentation gaps and improve documentation accuracy. Hiteks’ CAPD360 Insights analyzes clinical notes in real time and provides suggestions for documentation improvements based on best practices and clinical guidelines. That can help providers avoid missing important diagnoses or procedures and guarantee patients receive appropriate care.

Computer-assisted coding (CAC).

Computer-assisted coding (CAC) is a form of AI using automatically generated codes for medical procedures and diagnoses. Helping providers guarantee their clinical documentation is accurate and compatible improves outcomes and reduces the risk of denials and audits.

Within Epic, providers can use different CAC tools to improve outpatient CDI. For example, Epic’s Code Correct feature can automatically generate codes for diagnoses and procedures based on the provider’s documentation. That helps providers to use the most accurate codes possible, improving reimbursement rates and reducing the risk of audits.

Finally, it is essential to have powerful analytics and reporting tools to measure the effectiveness of outpatient CDI in Epic. By analyzing data and identifying tendencies, providers can identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions about optimizing their CDI processes.

Using electronic health records, natural language processing, computer-assisted coding, and analytics tools are all critical components of a successful CDI program. By utilizing these tools, providers can ensure patients receive the best care possible and outcomes while optimizing their revenue cycle management processes. Companies like Hiteks Solutions are at the forefront of this technology, helping providers to leverage the power of Epic and other EHRs to improve documentation accuracy and efficiency.

While technology is a crucial component of outpatient CDI in Epic, it should not replace human expertise and judgment. Providers must still be involved in the documentation process and should use technology as a tool to assist them in making informed decisions about patient care. Using technology in combination with their clinical expertise, providers can verify that patients receive high-quality care while optimizing their documentation and revenue cycle management processes.

Utilizing new tools can be challenging, and providers may require additional resources to leverage the capabilities of new technology. Epic and other EHR vendors usually offer training and reinforce services to providers, and organizations like Hiteks Solutions can provide additional assets to help providers optimize their use of technology.

To improve CDI processes, providers must stay on top of the latest technological advancements in healthcare. Companies like Hiteks are well-positioned to help providers navigate this complex landscape and optimize their use of technology to improve patient care and outcomes.

If your company wants to improve outpatient CDI processes within Epic, consider partnering with Hiteks Solutions. Our NLP-powered tools and expertise can help you identify clinical documentation gaps and improve accuracy, leading to better patient outcomes and revenue cycle management.