CAHIIM Competencies Assessed:
Subdomain VI.F Strategic and Organizational Management
Implement a departmental strategic plan i.e. benchmarking (Blooms 3)
Instructions:
- Read the article provided:
Hughes, Gwen. “Using Benchmarking for Performance Improvement (AHIMA Practice Brief).” Journal of AHIMA 74, no.2 (2003): 64A-D.
Assume you are a hospital HIM Manager and you need to work toward part of the new strategic plan that indicates that your department will use benchmarking to improve coding production.
- Based on the concepts of successful benchmarking described in the article, describe how you will embrace, adopt, and implement benchmarking for your coding production.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: As a hospital HIM Manager, implementing a departmental strategic plan that includes benchmarking for improving coding production is crucial. In this context, the Hughes’ article “Using Benchmarking for Performance Improvement (AHIMA Practice Brief)” provides valuable insights into using benchmarking successfully. In this academic assignment, we will discuss how to embrace, adopt, and implement benchmarking for coding production based on the concepts outlined by the author in the article.
Answer: To embrace benchmarking for coding production improvement, I will start with analyzing the current coding production process’s strengths and weaknesses. Once I have identified the areas of improvement, I will establish performance metrics that align with the department’s strategic plan and benchmark them against industry standards or other medical facilities with the same coding production needs. I will also ensure to involve all stakeholders (coders, coding managers, and other departmental employees) in the collective and individual performance improvement plans. Further, I will adhere to the best practices described in the article, including focusing on internal improvement, keeping the benchmarking process transparent and objective, identifying the root causes of differences in performance, and incorporating the feedback into the continuous improvement process. By adopting the best practices described in the article, my department can improve coding production and achieve better benchmarking results.
