According to an article published in the journal For the Records, the medical system has a series of codes that represent all medical treatments, including operations, diagnoses, disease signs, drug reactions, and disease effects. Any medical facility has personnel that gathers and codes inpatient and outpatient records (Chapman, 2014).
The Importance of Accurate Code Inputs
The accuracy of these code inputs is critical because it affects many aspects such as patient fees, physician billing, quality control, and medical data collection (Chapman, 2014). Errors are unavoidable in this profession, as they are in any other. Perhaps the coders get stuck in a rut and enter incorrect codes. For instance, after working for a while, the coders memorize the codes, and sometimes they key in without referring (Chapman, 2014). The coding from memory is what sometimes results in coders writing the wrong figures. For example, someone might record 30 instances of cataracts in a day. But then another individual presents something that is slightly different. However, it gets coded incorrectly as cataract.
The Role of Auditing in Ensuring Accurate Coding
Auditing is a mandatory tool for figuring out where coders are mixing up. For instance, if a coder is continually placing hypertension instead of malignant hypertension, the supervisors could try and figure out why there is the coding for the other diagnosis. Consequently, regular audits are mandatory to ensure that the coders conform to the set codes (Chapman, 2014).
The Effects of Inaccurate Coding
The effects of inaccurate coding depend on the keying of the codes. It may sometimes affect the patient's care, but more often it impacts the facilities concerning reimbursements (Chapman, 2014).
The Relationship between Auditing and Compliance
Auditing and compliance are interrelated. For instance, verification is used to ensure that an institution is compliant with the set standards. Also, the audit is useful in determining where a problem lies in a system. Therefore, regular coding audits are recommended to ensure compliance with an order.
Reference
Chapman, S. (2014, January). Beware of Poor Coding Habits. For The Record, 26(1), 20. Retrieved November 15, 2017, from http://www.fortherecordmag.com/archives/0114p20.shtml
