ACDIS announces first group of Certified Clinical Documentation Specialists
The Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS) announces that the first group of more than 100 clinical documentation improvement (CDI) specialists has earned the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) certification, developed and sponsored by ACDIS. Clinical documentation improvement (CDI) is a rapidly growing profession in healthcare with more than half of hospitals reporting that they have a CDI program in place.
Marblehead, MA (PRWEB) July 14, 2009
The Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS) announces that the first group of more than 100 clinical documentation improvement (CDI) specialists has earned the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) certification, developed and sponsored by ACDIS. Clinical documentation improvement (CDI) is a rapidly growing profession in healthcare with more than half of hospitals reporting that they have a CDI program in place.
The CCDS credential was more than a year in the making. ACDIS conducted a membership survey, created a panel of 12 experts with diverse backgrounds (including nursing, HIM/coding, and quality) to develop prerequisites and core content, and spent a year developing a rigorous exam. The exam was administered for the first time at the ACDIS 2nd annual conference in Las Vegas, NV on May 16.
Las Vegas test-takers took the exam via paper-and-pencil. Subsequent test-takers may take the exam at any of 170 assessment centers located nationwide beginning June 29, 2009. The exam is administered via computer and scoring results are provided immediately after the test.
CDI specialists possess knowledge of a wide range of specialized disciplines, including education in anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology; knowledge of official medical coding guidelines, CMS, and private payer regulations; an ability to analyze and interpret medical record documentation and formulate appropriate physician queries; and an ability to benchmark and analyze clinical documentation program performance. The CCDS exam tests candidates on all of these core content areas.
"The CCDS is a mark of distinction and professionalism for CDI specialists," says Brian Murphy, ACDIS Director. "This first group to pass the exam has demonstrated that they possess the diverse skills and knowledge required to be a competent CDI specialist. As the CCDS continues to take hold, we are confident that hospitals, healthcare systems, and other employers will view the new certification as the standard of excellence in this field."
Please go to www. cdiassociation. com/certification (http://www. cdiassociation. com/certification) for more details or to apply.
About ACDIS:
The Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS) is a community in which CDI professionals share the latest tested tips, tools, and strategies to implement successful CDI programs and achieve professional growth. ACDIS members believe in the inherent benefit of appropriate and complete medical record documentation on the quality of healthcare. The ACDIS mission is to serve as the premier healthcare community for clinical documentation specialists, providing a medium for education, professional growth, program recognition, and networking.
Since its inception ACDIS has grown to more than 1,500 members with local chapters in more than 20 states. ACDIS is sponsored by HCPro, Inc., a portfolio company of Halyard Investments, providing information, advice, consulting, and research on healthcare regulation and revenue cycle management.
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