The Impact of Documentation Training on Performance Reporting.

Terrence Loftus,Hadi Najafian,Paravasthu Ramanujam,Sushil R Pandey

doi:10.7759/cureus.283

Abstract

With the advent of public reporting of clinical performance for physicians, the need for accurate documentation is essential. This study tested the hypothesis that a short tutorial on five key documentation tips for a group of colorectal surgeons could significantly improve their reported clinical performance. Data was collected on a total of 626 consecutive inpatients before and after the introduction of a short tutorial focusing on five key documentation tips to a group of colorectal surgeons. Quality metrics were compared between the two time periods. Significant improvements were observed for complications (p = 0.001), morbidity (p = 0.046), ileus (p = 0.027), and digestive system complications (p < 0.01). There was no difference in mortality (p = 0.569) or readmissions (p = 0.920). A short tutorial focusing on five key documentation tips is associated with improvement in the reported clinical performance of colorectal surgeons.

Highlights

In 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) required The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to create a Physician Compare website to be used for public reporting of clinical performance [1]
We tested the hypothesis that a short tutorial on five key documentation tips for a group of colorectal surgeons could significantly improve their reported clinical performance
Following introduction of a one-hour tutorial on five key documentation tips, there were significant improvements observed for complications (p = 0.001), morbidity (p = 0.046), ileus (p = 0.027), and digestive system complications (p < 0.01)

Summary

Introduction

In 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) required The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to create a Physician Compare website to be used for public reporting of clinical performance [1]. Their plan was to begin public reporting of quality data for physicians during the calendar year of 2014. This data is derived from CMS's claims data which is based on hospital's administrative data. We tested the hypothesis that a short tutorial on five key documentation tips for a group of colorectal surgeons could significantly improve their reported clinical performance

Methods

Results

Conclusion