Reference no: EM133429275
Assignment:
Time Management
You are the HIM director for a small 140-bed county-owned hospital in a rural area. The department has become backlogged in Release of Information ROI since your correspondence coordinator's resignation was received two weeks ago. The correspondence coordinator resigned following an extended leave due to injuries received from a car accident that occurred three months prior. She was out of work for major surgery and rehabilitation, with the intent to return when she was able. She worked for you for three years and was rarely out of work until the accident.
In the interim, you had employees cross-trained to help cover the ROI work. You approached administration about hiring a temporary employee a month after your employee was out on leave, but administration did not give approval. When the employee turned in her resignation, you submitted a request to replace her position and administration has approved it. You are in the process of accepting applications and scheduling interviews.
The business office claims manager has been calling regarding "bills held" due to pending copies needed of medical records to support the claim. The business office manager called just this morning, concerned that an increase in accounts receivable (AR) is due to the backlog in ROI. Two days ago, the hospital administrator requested that you submit a detailed report on the ROI status. It is due today. You are gathering the necessary data to compile the report for administration when your inpatient coder comes into your office and asks to meet with you. Your report is due in two hours and still needs a lot of work before it is complete.
1. Are any alternative means available that you could consider (other than hiring a replacement full-time employee [FTE]) in providing ROI service? If so, what?
2. How should you respond to the business office manager?
3. What elements do you feel should be included in the report for administration?
4. How should you respond to the coder?