Question

List & describe in detail the topics that should be included in a department-specific orientation for new coding staff

2. Choose one of the topics and suppose it was not covered during the orientation process and determine what would/could happen. Explain & elaborate.

3. Develop a plan of activities for a 1-day orientation program for new coding staff, assuming two 3-hour sessions. Specify the activities that would occur at the various times of day (e.g., 8AM-9AM or 1PM-2-PM). This can be in a separate table.

Excessive employee turnover can be a major problem, with its potentially adverse effects on productivity, stability, and employee morale. Often turnover in health care is greatest for those jobs characterized by low pay, routine (non-challenging) work, and limited prospects for career mobility without increased education and professional credentials (e.g., filing clerks, nursing home aides).

Develop a strategy for improving employee retention (or decreasing turnover) by responding to the following questions:

4. How does an effective orientation program enhance employee retention? Explain & elaborate!

5. Describe how the effectiveness of this employee orientation can be measured.

Answer 1

1.The department-specific orientation of a new coding staff is the proess of welcoming and learning a new staff about the ins and outs of the job and the organization.That means the policies and procedures followed by the organization,job-description,who your co-workers,who does what,health and wellness program of the organization,staff welfare services etc.

Thus we can say that the department -specific orientation for a new coding staff means,the new staff members are generally given atleast some idea or getting basic information that tells you where you are and how to get where you want to go,that means her position,target population and the community thus she can understood how to get she wants to go.

The topics that were included during the orientation process are:

*Coding and documentation for in-patient and out-patient services

*Policies and procedures of specific coding

*Medical records coding policies and procedures

The review of the following resources available such as

a.ICD-9 CM and ICD-10-CM coding book

b.CPT book

c.AHA coding clinics for ICD-9 and 10 CM

d.Coding classification update

e.Inpatient coding reference manual

f.Medicare key notes

g.Medical abbrevations and acronyms list

h.Drug reference tool

i.Disease process book

j.Basic anatomy and physiology terminologies

2.During the orientation process the topics which were not coverered are work expectations and working relationships the staff has to follow.In general most of the organizations,most of the staff may get paid for 40 hours a week.During the orientation they give a brief description regarding the job desription and their responsibilities.But the performance that means where you are and how to get,where you want to go or how to perform/showing dedication is based upon to the staff.And as a employee he/she has to follow all the disciplines and maintain a good working relationships with all the staff members to whom he/she deals.

3.

Session	8-9am	10-11am	1-2pm
Topic	General introduction regarding the organization,Introduction to the new position, introduced to other staff, shown around,made to feel welcome	The review of following resources such as : *ICD 9 and 10 CM coding books *CPT book *coding classification update *DRG definition manual *Inpatient and outpatient coding reference manual *CPT assistant *Medicare keynotes *Medical dictionary *Medical abbrevations and acronyms lists *Basic anatomy and physiology terminology *Drug reference tool *Disease process book	*Orientation to allapplicable computer systems *Appropriate use of applicable reports to monitor qulity and quantity of coding *Completion of coder orientation checklist by the supervisor *Documentation of the completed coder orientation checklist and filedin the employees department education file

4.A good and prepared orientation to a new staff member to an organization can boost up the confidence and feeling comfort to work with in a new grup and organization.To enhance the employee reytention and employee turn over we have to make the measures during the orientation time itself.Some of the measures we can follow during the orientationitself to retain a employee and to avoid employee turn over are as :

*Clear understanding of their organization and their positions and their community.It improves the staff confidence in both their own ability to be effective

*If the organization which has had the foresight to provide them with that background,and made them feel a part of the organization

*Through facilitating a good start and providing appropriate background willdo a good job over the longer term and stay longer with the organization

*By the proper orientation of the new staff results in eliminating the need for new staff members to ask them constantly for information and advice

*Through the proper orientation making the staff knowledgeable and better prepared,it builds the organization reputation inthe community,leading to the community support and better services.

A well convinced and well orientation can thus be logistical,professional,social,and philosopical basis.Thus the staff member can fit into the organization and do the best job he/she can.

5.The effectiveness of the orientation can be measured by using a coder orientation check list.It includes the following such as

Orientation checklist	Supervisor	Coder	Date
1.Orientation to the facility
2.orientation to the department
3.Review of coding or documentation for out-patient services
4.Review of coding or documentation for in-patient services
5.Review of facility specific coding policies and procedures
6.Availability of following resources
7.Orientation to computer system
8.Overview of coding quality and quantity report
9.Review of medical records
10.Review of coding policy and procedure manual

Coders Name _____________________________

Coders Signature___________________________

Supervisors Signature______________________________

Supervisors Comments______________________________

Date completed_______________________________________