Press Release - August 8, 2008 - Hospital IT Europe

3M introduces computer-assisted coding solution

3M is furthering its commitment to hospital coding quality and efficiency with the introduction of 3M Codefinder Computer-Assisted Edition.

The new software application expedites the inpatient coding process with expert logic and intelligent mapping tools that analyse and interpret text-based clinical documentation to identify codes for review by the coder.

Uniquely integrated with 3M's market-leading 3M Coding and Reimbursement System, it allows coders to validate, edit, and perform final code assignment in a single, easy-to-use desktop view.

With a powerful terminology engine that recognises and maps thousands of medical terms to diagnosis and procedure codes, the software automates time-consuming manual document review, freeing coders to focus their expertise on coding accuracy and compliance. The result is streamlined coding workflow, improved productivity and more timely reimbursement.

3M Codefinder Computer-Assisted Edition, designed by coders for coders, builds on three decades of 3M experience in nosology, medical vocabularies and classification systems. Incorporating sophisticated rule-based logic, it addresses the growing complexity of inpatient coding, which accounts for nearly 70% of the health information management (HIM) department's day-to-day coding.

"Accurate and compliant coding has always been the hallmark of 3M's coding products," said Nancy Larson, president of 3M Health Information Systems. "By offering a computer-assisted coding solution that is seamlessly integrated with our coding software, we can help our customers make efficiency gains while still maintaining accuracy, even as regulations change and new coding standards such as ICD-10(a) are implemented."

3M Codefinder Computer-Assisted Edition first analyses and interprets text from multiple documentation sources created during a patient's hospital stay, including electronic records and dictated and transcribed reports. Robust terminology mapping tools link specific textual data required for coding to the logic-based coding paths of the 3M Coding and Reimbursement System.

Coders are prompted with suggested codes or immediately advanced as far as possible through the software's expert logic paths. In addition, 3M Codefinder Computer-Assisted Edition applies intelligent mapping to pharmacy orders, alerting coders to possible missing diagnoses in the physician documentation based on the medications prescribed.

To help capture all relevant documentation for analysis, 3M Codefinder Computer-Assisted Edition can be integrated with 3M's full suite of document creation and document management products, including dictation, transcription, and speech recognition applications such as 3M VoiceScript Software and 3M ChartScript Software, as well as chart management and viewing applications such as 3M ChartView Software. 3M Codefinder Computer-Assisted Edition also interfaces with an organisation's existing vendors to enable access to complete documentation.

3M Codefinder Computer-Assisted Edition is an add-on module of the 3M Coding and Reimbursement System, the industry's leading coding system used in more than 4000 healthcare settings worldwide by health information management departments to code and group patient data for decision support, quality measurement and reimbursement.

3M Health Information Systems