Case study: Due to increased patient volumes in the facility, the coding manager at Community Hospital is faced with an increased discharged, no final bill (DNFB) rate. The management staff of the health information management department has brainstormed the following list of potential solutions to rectify this problem.
1. Potential Solutions
2. Implement computer-assisted coding (CAC)
3. Send coders home to work remotely
4. Implement flex time
5. Perform a work imaging study to see how the coders are spending their time
6. Hire a coding support person to handle the clerical activities
7. Have all coders code only one patient type (inpatients, outpatients, emergency room, ancillary)
8. Hire more coders
9. Provide more coding training
10. Change encoders
11. Change the coding workflow
12. Train coders to code more than one patient type
13. Send all coders to a regional coding meeting
Question: Using the potential solutions listed in the case study; determine the appropriate categories for the brainstormed solutions. Next, make an affinity diagram using the categories and potential solutions.