VERO BEACH — Indian River Medical Center’s departments of Utilization Review, Discharge Planning, and Clinical Documentation are now reporting to one director as a means of improving communication and teamwork just in time for ICD-10, the new, more stringent Medicare coding system rolling out in a year.
“The department separation came in 2009,” said the new director, Julie Tardi, R.N., BSN, MACP, CCDS.
Tardi says she was honored that she was asked to head up the reorganization, especially since she enjoys positive change.
“I especially like any challenge that focuses around change. I think change revitalizes, stretches, and produces character. And in healthcare today, you have no choice but to embrace change,” she said.
Tardi said the merge has gone well, and she credits the professionalism of the Case Management staff. She gave special notice to Sheila Jackson, Discharge Planner manager, and Elisa Morris, Utilization Review manager, and the addition of Teri Tedesco, office coordinator, to the team.
“Teri has a wealth of internal IRMC knowledge, as well as a vast array of secretarial skills. We’d be lost without her,” Tardi added.
The role of Case Management is to advocate for patients and ensure that they receive the best use of their insurance plans during and after hospitalization.
Clinical Documentation is busy making sure the documentation in medical records is an accurate reflection of how sick patients are.
Utilization Review monitors a patient’s inpatient services and length of stay.
Discharge Planning deals with follow-up care such as home healthcare, rehab, or placement in a nursing home.
Discharge planners have the added challenge of obtaining services for patients who are homeless or lack insurance coverage.
“Our goal is to assess all patients within 24 hours of admission,” Tardi explained.
Tardi said IRMC continues to raise the bar in working with patients and families when placing patients in after-care.
“I think the patients do feel a difference since the reorganization,” she added. “Our patient population has a lot of needs, and we are making sure that we are diligent in getting them what they need.”