Unlocking the Power of Automation in Clinical Coding: Insights from e18 Innovation
In a recent webinar hosted by e18 innovation, experts from NHS trusts and automation providers came together to discuss the transformative potential of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and intelligent automation in improving clinical coding accuracy and efficiency.
The session aimed to share valuable insights and best practices on how automation can help NHS organisations maximise income generation through more accurate and comprehensive coding.
Accurate clinical coding is paramount for NHS trusts to ensure they receive appropriate reimbursement for the care provided. Many trusts are currently facing financial challenges and seeking ways to optimise income levels. By bringing together the expertise of clinical coders with advanced technologies like RPA, healthcare organisations can capture more activity, ensure coding resilience, and allow coders to focus on more complex cases.
Hosted by:
Stuart MacMillan – Senior Associate – e18 Innovation
Panel
Claire Liddy – Chief Financial Officer Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Camilla Gow – RPA Product Owner – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Rob Child – Programme Manager – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Jason Burrage – Chief Operating Officer – OAS
Watch the Replay
https://e18innovation.com/request-access-to-view-our-webinar-replay-knowledge-hour-clinical-coding/
Success Stories: Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – acute has successfully implemented RPA for outpatient coding in various areas, including pacemaker clinics, paediatric fetal echo, ophthalmology, and paediatric cardiology. The results have been remarkable, with the trust generating over £922,000 in additional income from April to June alone, and a projected £6.4 million for the full year.
The RPA team at Leeds works in close collaboration with the income team to identify coding gaps and opportunities. The process involves extracting data from various clinical systems, mapping out coding rules, and continuously refining the automation. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in driving the success of the RPA implementation.
https://e18innovation.com/cardiology-coding-leeds-teaching-hospitals/
Reusable RPA Solutions: Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
One of e18 Innovation’s partners OAS and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board have developed a reusable RPA solution for clinical coding that can determine codes for simple episodes and flag complex cases for manual review. This innovative approach has yielded impressive results, with the automation coding the equivalent of 5-6 WTE (Whole Time Equivalent) coders per month, and 88% of episodes passing quality checks.
The automated coding solution at Aneurin Bevan is enabling a restructure of the coding team, with a focus on more experienced, higher-banded coders handling complex cases while the RPA handles simpler episodes. This strategic shift allows for optimal utilisation of human expertise and technological capabilities.
Developing and Implementing RPA for Clinical Coding
Developing the RPA process for coding typically takes around 3 weeks, with much of the work involving mapping existing code to new systems. The rules and workflows are believed to be largely transferable between organisations, with some tailoring required for specific clinical systems.
RPA can help separate episodes flagged for additional checks (e.g. biopsies) and provide coders with a comprehensive report containing all the information needed to efficiently review and amend complex cases. This streamlined approach enhances the accuracy and efficiency of the coding process.
e18 Innovation working in collaboration with OAS, are able to share the methodology, documentation and expertise to help NHS trusts roll this out more effectively and in the most cost-effective way.
The Future of Clinical Coding: Embracing Automation
As NHS trusts continue to face financial pressures and the demand for accurate clinical coding grows, the adoption of RPA and intelligent automation becomes increasingly crucial. By leveraging these technologies, healthcare organisations can unlock significant benefits, including:
- Increased income generation through more accurate and comprehensive coding
- Improved coding resilience and efficiency
- Enhanced focus on complex cases for experienced coders
- Streamlined processes and reduced administrative burden
- Ultimately, better patient care and financial stability
The insights shared in the webinar demonstrate the transformative power of automation in clinical coding. As more NHS trusts embrace these technologies, we can expect to see a paradigm shift in how coding is approached, leading to a more efficient, accurate, and financially sustainable healthcare system.
By sharing success stories and best practices, the session has provided valuable insights for healthcare organisations looking to optimise their coding processes, maximise income generation, and ultimately enhance patient care.
As we move forward, it is clear that the future of clinical coding lies in the strategic integration of human expertise and advanced technologies. By embracing automation, NHS trusts can unlock a new era of efficiency, accuracy, and financial stability, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system.
To learn more about how e18 innovation can help your organisation harness the power of automation in clinical coding, listen to the full replay of the webinar or contact our team of experts.
Orignially published at National Health Executive
