ACDIS rebranding as Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists
ACDIS is changing its name from the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists to the Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists. The name change was instituted following a survey to its membership which showed overwhelming support. The change is associated with changes to the CDI profession since ACDIS began in October 2007.
MIDDLETON, Mass., Oct. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- ACDIS—The Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists announced today that it will be rebranding as the Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists. The decision to implement the name change was made following the results of a poll administered to more than 6,500 members of ACDIS. Approximately 88% of respondents agreed with the change.
ACDIS members who agreed with the name change from improvement to integrity:
- Believe that "integrity" aligns the profession with value based, quality goals and outcomes.
- Integrity better aligns with the "true mission" of CDI.
- Have in some cases already made this name change in their organizations.
- Believe that the term "integrity" is less punitive to physicians.
- State again and again that morals and ethics are important, and integrity best reflects these principles.
"The overwhelming survey results from our members warrant and bear out this important change," said ACDIS Director Brian Murphy. "As a result, the association is keeping ACDIS' name and acronym intact, but changing the "I" from "Improvement" to "Integrity."
The move corresponds to changes within the CDI profession since ACDIS began on Oct. 1, 2007, 12 years ago. These include sweeping reforms to pricing and transparency through pay for performance, the growth of outpatient services and accountable care organizations, and the adoption of value-based measures that affect public-facing scorecards and reward quality over quantity.
The CDI profession has adapted to those changes and evolved in that time. Instead of simple DRG optimization and complication/comorbidity capture, as was common in the early days of CDI, CDI specialists now review for patient safety and present on admission indicators, core measures adherence, outpatient encounters affecting Hierarchical Condition Categories, and much more.
Integrity as defined by Merriam-Webster is firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values: Incorruptibility; an unimpaired condition: Soundness; the quality of state of being complete or undivided; Completeness.
Ensuring a complete and accurate medical record reflective of clinical truth is at the core of what today's CDI specialists do.
"We are pleased to make this important change, which ensures that our name reflects both our mission and the broader mission of CDI professionals across the nation—overall integrity of the health record," Murphy said.
ACDIS is a community of more than 6,500 CDI professionals who share the latest tips, tools, and strategies to implement successful CDI programs and achieve professional growth. ACDIS' mission is to serve as the premier healthcare community for CDI specialists, providing a medium for education, professional growth, professional certification, and networking through its annual conference, local chapter outreach efforts, educational webinars, website and membership journal, social media outlets, and the ACDIS Podcast: Talking CDI.
For more information about ACDIS and its offerings, please visit http://www.acdis.org or call 800-650-6787.
SOURCE ACDIS
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