Data as a career may be a bit ambiguous. How about looking for a career in data modeling, preserving, securing, delivering and making data readily available? Beyond the obvious solutions […]

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, […]

CHALLENGE QUESTION A 37-year old male was found unresponsive in a bedroom at his home by a family member. Paramedics arrived and found the patient pulseless and not breathing. The […]

If no further weird politics intervene, we will be able to use ICD-10 codes for real, finally, beginning October 1, 2015. This experience has been emotionally draining for everyone. For […]

No one likes surprises, especially when it comes to financial performance. In order to reduce unexpected results, many hospitals and payers have decided to address the issue up front. You […]

Yes, there are ICD-10 codes for exceedingly rare ways to die, and yes, they are easy to parody. This does not matter at all, since not many people are admitted […]

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 […]

CHALLENGE QUESTION:  A 72 –year old male was admitted to the hospital with a chief complaint of a  fever with a temperature of 101° F and feeling ill with worsening […]

There is plenty of speculation about the fate of hospitals and healthcare IT. The uncertainty could make it difficult for hospital executives to set strategies for the coming year. Yet, […]

What makes a species distinct enough that it gets its own unique name? In my last blog, I discussed the taxonomy of living things developed by Carl Linnaeus in the […]