Improving Point-of-Care Ultrasound Documentation and Billing Accuracy in a Pediatric Emergency Department. Issue 4 (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ng, Carrie; Payne, Asha S.; Patel, Amit K.; Thomas-Mohtat, Rosemary; Maxwell, Angela; Abo, Alyssa
• Is Part Of: Pediatric quality & safety. Volume 5:Issue 4(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: Pediatric nursing -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Patients -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; Children -- Hospital care -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000315
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2472-0054

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: The performance and interpretation of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) should be documented appropriately in the electronic medical record (EMR) with correct billing codes assigned. We aimed to improve complete POCUS documentation from 62% to 80% and improve correct POCUS billing codes to 95% or higher through the implementation of a quality improvement initiative. Methods: We collected POCUS documentation and billing data from the EMR. Interventions included: (1) staff education and feedback, (2) standardization of documentation and billing, and (3) changes to the EMR to support standardization. We used P charts to analyze our outcome measures between January 2017 and June 2018. Results: Six hundred medical records of billed POCUS examinations were included. Complete POCUS documentation rate rose from 62% to 91%, and correct CPT code selection for billing increased from 92% to 95% after our interventions. Conclusions: The creation of a standardized documentation template incorporated into the EMR improved complete documentation compliance. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.