470 - Winter Summit 2024 Session 3: Break Glass - When the Clinical Coding Workforce Can’t Be Found

Oct 7, 2024

Guest

Chris Mitchell

Guest

Nicole Payne

Guest

Ravi Carothers

In this session, Ravi Carothers, Nicole Payne, and Chris Mitchell tackle the pressing shortage of clinical coders in healthcare. They discuss the transformative impact of digitizing medical records, with an ambitious target for full digitalization by 2025. The trio explores how AI can revolutionize the role of clinical coders, shifting them from transcribers to checkers, ultimately enhancing job satisfaction. They also dive into the challenges of integrating digital processes while addressing workforce issues, offering innovative solutions for a more efficient future in healthcare.

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Intro

00:00 • 3min

Digitizing Healthcare: The Journey to Digital Records

03:26 • 11min

Addressing Challenges in Clinical Coding Workforce

14:02 • 5min

Digitizing Medical Records: Challenges and Innovations

19:02 • 8min

Harnessing AI for Remote Clinical Coding Solutions

26:53 • 3min

Navigating Clinical Coding Challenges

29:37 • 5min

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Ravi Carothers, Head of Health Fund Relations and Revenue at Healthe Care Australia, Nicole Payne, Head of Transformation of Revenue Cycle Management at Healthscope, and Chris Mitchell, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Hunter New England Local Health District about clinical coding workforce shortages and the role of digitising medical records in addressing this issue.

This episode was recorded live at the Talking HealthTech Winter Summit 2024. The session focuses on how digitising medical records can mitigate clinical coder shortages in Australian hospitals and explores various strategies and technological innovations that can bridge gaps in clinical coding workforce availability.

Key Takeaways:

Use of AI in Healthcare: AI is transitioning clinical coders to checkers rather than transcribers, aiming to increase workforce satisfaction and efficiency. AI will augment, not replace, human coders.
Challenges and Solutions: Addressing the difficulties in digitising medical records, particularly in cost implementation, data accuracy, and workforce shortages.
Tertiary Storage of Records: Discussion on the future focus on the tertiary storage of old paper records and potential outsourcing options, aiming to support the healthcare workforce through digital systems.
Workforce Flexibility: Numerous speakers stress the need for flexible work arrangements to attract and retain clinical coders, especially in remote or under-resourced areas.

Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.

Keep an eye out for the details of our Spring Summit happening in November of this year. For more information, go to talkinghealthtech.com/summit.

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