The Coding Workforce Study 2010

Vicki BennettActing Head, Continuing and

Specialised Care Group

What is the Coding Workforce?What is the Coding Workforce?

• “A Report on the Clinical Coders, Health Information Managers and Costing Specialists (Coding Workforce) Shortfall”

What was requested?What was requested?• Conduct a survey to provide quantifiable number of

coding staff currently employed and their demographics and also identify projected numbers for the future to cover the anticipated increased demand

• Produce a report on the activities currently being implemented in the jurisdictions to address these issues

• Provide recommendations on a way forward for a more consolidated national strategy to address future needs, taking into account e-health and broader developments

What was done?What was done?

– Historical overview– International experiences

• New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, UK, USA

– Environmental changes• Health reform• ABF• Performance reporting• E-Health• Changes in educational offerings

What was done?What was done?

– Jurisdictional ‘stories’• Issues• Strategies

– Case studies• Gold Coast HSD, Qld • Greater Western AHS, NSW

The Current WorkforceThe Current Workforce– ABS Census of 2001 and 2006– Coder Workforce Studies 1994-5 and 2002– Jurisdictional data on HIMs and CCs– Survey

• Online survey of 9 questions + free text• Sent to all hospitals’ coding manager – public and

private – approx 1400• Analysis of free text• Contract coding companies

Survey data analysisSurvey data analysis– Based on FTE’s not actual number of people– Used hospital discharge data– Analysed by hospital peer groups– Developments over time

Assistance from industryAssistance from industry

Appreciation to HIMAA and CCSA and their members for assisting with ensuring the response rate was as high as it was.

HIM Graduates 2000-10HIM Graduates 2000-10

Clinical Coders trained through HIMAA Clinical Coders trained through HIMAA and OTEN - 1998-2009and OTEN - 1998-2009

Age at enrolment in Age at enrolment in HIMAA Introductory CourseHIMAA Introductory Course

• Used the current workforce numbers and throughput figures to model needs and produce projection estimates

• High and low projections• Natural growth in discharges over time• Commencement of coding of OOS• E-health and other reform implications

Future workforce needsFuture workforce needs

• Used the data to model needs and produce projections

Coder Workforce: stocks and Coder Workforce: stocks and flowsflows

• 15 recommended actions– Immediate– Short-term– Long-term

• More analysis to be done, especially on Costing Specialists

Action!Action!

• Report to be produced soon….so watch this space www.aihw.gov.au

When can you see it?When can you see it?