Donna Smith, RHIA

Donna: Sue, do you remember when we started our blog back in 2012? Didn’t the idea present itself at a conference we were attending? Sue: Yes, it did! We were […]

Donna:  Hi, Sue – I’ve been hearing that many hospitals are getting denials for records with sepsis coded as the diagnosis. Sue: Why are they getting denied for that? Donna: […]

Donna: Hi, Sue! Do you ever see something on a problem list that isn’t correct? Sue: Yes, often!  You know I always say, “The problem list is a problem.” Donna: […]

Donna: Eh Sue. What did you think of our experience in Canada reviewing charts for accurate coding? Sue: I would say that they have a similar challenge to ours in […]

Donna: Happy Holidays, Sue! In the spirit of the season, here’s a gift for you — some information about ICD-11 that I learned at the recent ICD-11 Revision Conference in […]

Donna: Sue, do you know how many unspecified codes there are in ICD-10-CM? Sue: No, haven’t had time to count them!  Why do you ask? Donna: Well, as you know, […]

Cheryl:  Hey fellow bloggers, have you heard what people are saying about the new ICD-10-CM coding guideline 19? Sue: I’ve heard a few things. . . Donna: There’s certainly a […]

Donna: Hi Sue. Have you had a chance to read through the FY 2017 Final Rule since our last chat? Sue: I haven’t read all 2,434 pages if that’s what […]

Cheryl:  So Donna, I have been getting a lot of questions from clients about ICD-10-CM and PCS lately. I was in elementary school when the last code switch occurred.  Can […]

Donna:  Hi, Sue – how was your 4th of July holiday weekend? Sue:  Full of fireworks and time with my family. Hope yours was good as well! Donna:  I had […]

Donna: Hi, Sue! I saw you at the ACDIS conference last week. How were the sessions you  attended? Sue: Really good – I liked the diversity and range of topics […]

Donna: Sue, have you been reading about the new definitions for sepsis and septic shock, and the new clinical guidance for physicians about diagnosing sepsis in their patients? Sue: Yes, I […]

Donna: Sue, it has been way too long. What’ve you been up to? Sue: I’ve been auditing a lot of ICD-10 documentation and coding post go-live. Donna: Same here – […]

Donna: Hey, Sue! We haven’t talked since AHIMA. Did you get back in time for ICD-10 go-live? Sue: Yes, I was in my office, bright and early on October 1. […]

Donna: Sue, can you believe it? We’re going live with ICD-10 in less than two weeks – this has to be the longest pregnancy in history! Sue: I know. You […]

Donna and Sue are joined this month by fellow 3M HIS blogger Jill Devrick. Donna: Hi Sue. How was the AHIMA-AHDI summit? Didn’t you give a presentation? Sue: The summit […]

Donna: You know Sue, I think that people are really stepping up their ICD-10 game as we enter the home stretch. Sue: The way I look at it, they’ve been […]

Donna: Sue, what results are you hearing about ICD-10 coder agreement as sites get ready to implement October 1, 2015? Sue: What do you mean by “ICD-10 coder agreement?” Donna: Well, […]

Sue: Happy New Year, Donna! Did you enjoy the holidays? Donna: The holidays were wonderful, and you know I always feel reenergized in the new year! Sue: Me, too! Instead […]