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[The "value" of the medical documentation assistant in trauma surgery]

J Schmidt1, L Lorenczewski, H P Langen

  • 1Klinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie mit Rettungsstelle, HELIOS Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Schwanebecker Chaussee 50, 13125, Berlin-Buch, Deutschland. joerg.schmidt@helios-kliniken.de

Der Unfallchirurg
|February 26, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A medical documentation assistant (MDA) pilot project in a trauma department proved essential after five years. The MDA significantly improved performance by increasing cost weight (CW) and saving physician time for medical activities.

Area of Science:

  • Healthcare Administration
  • Trauma Surgery Support
  • Medical Documentation Systems

Background:

  • A pilot project involving a medical documentation assistant (MDA) was implemented in a trauma department five years ago.
  • This paper evaluates the long-term practice and integration of the MDA within the department's daily workflow.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the practical integration and measurable value of an MDA in a trauma department.
  • To quantify the impact of the MDA on departmental performance and financial metrics.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluation of the MDA's role in daily ward/departmental work.
  • Analysis of the settlement reserve, measured by cost weight (CW), as a key performance indicator for the MDA.

Main Results:

  • The MDA is now an integral part of the daily routine, providing advisory services for medical codification.
  • The MDA identifies additional profitable services through documentation of secondary diagnoses and clinical progress, yielding an average additional monthly CW benefit of 11.4046.
  • Significant time savings for physicians, equivalent to half the hours of one doctor daily, were achieved, allowing reallocation to core medical activities.

Conclusions:

  • The medical documentation assistant has become indispensable in the trauma department.
  • The MDA demonstrates significant financial benefits through improved service codification and identification of secondary diagnoses.
  • The integration of an MDA leads to substantial time savings for physicians, enhancing their capacity for direct patient care and medical activities.

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