llecting the data? What is the best data-collecting tool? Are those tools available for data collection? Can the data be collected so that it is available for analysis without further manipulation? Quality Monitoring What percentage of data completion is required for the application? What process will be used to monitor quality? Will the data be timely enough for the application? What incentives can be applied to ensure data quality? Will feedback on data quality be provided? How? Skills NeededHIM professionals need the ability to: Select appropriate team members Identify roles and expertise needed Utilize continuous quality improvement techniques Maintain and foster diverse work relationships Manage relationships (i.e., relating to clinicians and the diverse array of employees and departments within the facility) Communicate verbally, in writing, and on an interpersonal level Conduct group presentations Use influence to achieve positive results Facilitate Initiate improvement Lead by example Promote utilization of data collected Recognize differences in learning and social styles and provide processes to meet those needs Examples of Reengineering Data CollectionUpon installation of a new clinical information system, one organization decided to take advantage of the increased availability of data to reengineer and improve the quality of data collection. Initially, discharge information was phoned to the admissions office and entered into the system by clerks, causing delayed data availability and increased errors. Nursing staff members were required to enter each patient's discharge date and time, as well as the type of discharge. In order to have them complete the required discharge information, they were trained on the definitions of discharge status in the Uniform Discharge Data Set and instructed on the consequence of data error on payment and outcome reporting. In order to reduce the data collection time for evaluation of record co...
