Exit interviews, coding audits and vendor checks show high compliance rates

Human resources and auditing staff reported favorable compliance and monitoring results to the Hospital Authority Compliance Committee.

Ms. Wofford described the exit‑interview program (January–September) and said four physicians left during the period and all four completed face‑to‑face exit interviews, which the hospital uses for service recovery and retention. She said the hospital’s goal is to recover 45–50% of departing employees (i.e., convert departures to retention or alternate arrangements) and that the upcoming UKG implementation should automate status changes and improve timeliness.

The HIM audit showed an overall coding accuracy of 96% for quarter 3 against a 95% target from a 250‑encounter random sample (150 inpatient, 100 outpatient). The inpatient DRG accuracy rate was 94.8%; outpatient accuracy was 97%. Key risks included incorrect principal diagnosis assignment in seven inpatient instances that did not impact DRG payments, and inappropriate use of Q7 and Q9 modifiers in podiatry claims; staff provided training and a reference tip sheet to coders.

Angela Jefferson reported that 792 vendors and 218 providers were submitted for vendor exclusion checks via third‑party vendor Ethico; no hospital vendors were on exclusion lists, 210 providers were clear, and eight providers were returned for further review and resubmission. Jefferson also reported 100% completion of board conflict‑of‑interest disclosure forms and 81% completion among internal leadership (17% outstanding as of Oct. 6).

Next steps: HR will report examples of corrective actions learned from exit interviews at a future meeting; HIM will continue audits and targeted coder education; procurement/compliance will resubmit flagged providers for exclusion checks and complete outstanding leadership disclosures.