With the rising importance of health care information, this book provides a broad but detailed overview of the role of the clinical documentation specialist (CDS). … The author, who has more than 20 years of nursing experience, portrays the role of nursing with accuracy and acumen. Her publication is unique, as evidenced by my literature search, which uncovered only two articles on the topic of the CDS. This book provides not only a comprehensive description of the CDS role, but also an excellent overview of the financial aspects of health care, especially coding and accurate diagnosis-related group (DRG) classification. … Overall, this book is an excellent resource for all clinicians who relate to the issues in health care that affect safe and quality patient care, the key word being collaboration.
—Donna L. Baker, MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, CNOR, Medical Science Liaison Baxter Healthcare, in AORN Journal, Vol. 92, No. 6, December 2010
Colleen Stukenberg writes from the perspective of one who has been there and done that. She is a skilled teacher who shares lessons she has learned in the trenches.
—Beth Gale, RN, BSN
Colleen has successfully navigated the clinical and front-end-revenue cycle job market over the last 20 years. Her acute care nursing, case management, and long-term care experience has built a well rounded and solid foundation for our Clinical Documentation program. Her vast knowledge and know-how has actualized one of the more successful documentation programs in the industry with the financial gains in a rural hospital rivaling major urban medical centers. Colleen is definitely an authority on Clinical Documentation programs and has much to share with her peers.
—Tamar Gorenyuk, MBA, RHIA, Director, HIM & Resource Management, Freeport Health Network
Colleen is a recognized expert in the field of Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI). Anyone interested in implementing a successful Clinical Documentation Improvement Program should read this book before starting the process. Never before has this valuable information been presented in one, all-encompassing reference. The material covered in this book will help executives make informed choices about whether or not to hire a consulting firm and if so, which firm will best meet their needs. Colleen's perspective and experience implementing a CDI program provides the reader with time-tested tools of the trade and advice that will help guide new CDI Programs to excellence while avoiding the common challenges faced by faltering CDI Programs.
— Lynne Spryszak, RN, CCDS, CPC-A, Manager, Precyse Solutions, LLC
