1. The Australian Clinical Coder Workforce Survey-An Update 2002 Presenter: Kirsten McKenzie (Research Fellow) Other Authors: Sue Walker (Associate Director) Melanie Spallek (Student Intern) Organisation:NCCH Brisbane

2. Background 1994 Survey Provided baseline data about coder workforce 2002 Survey Follow-up survey to quantify changes in workforce Changes in roles and responsibilities? Current issues and needs of coders? Implementation of ICD-10-AM and casemix-based funding

3. Objectives Outline variations between 1994-2002: Coder population and job profile Coders background and experience Factors affecting coding quality

4. Methodology Questionnaire distributed to all 1277 hospitals and day-care facilities across Australia Responses received from: 424 facilities (33% response rate) 891 coders Poorer response rate than 1994 survey (77%) Some small variations in distribution of respondents by facility characteristic

5. Employment Conditions 18.2% multi-site coders in 2002 compared to 13.5% multi-site coders in 1994 Coders work similar hours between 1994 and 2002: 14% < 8hrs 25% 8-24hrs 8% 25-35hrs 53% >35hrs

6. Distribution of Job Titles

7. Salary and Industrial Conditions 16% of coders not employed under an industrial award in 2002 compared to 20% in 1994 Salary range in 2002 between $35000- $39999 compared to $25000-$29999 in 1994

8. Salary by Years of Experience

9. Top Five Work Backgrounds

10. Coding Experience Over 65% of coders in 2002 have more than 5 years’ coding experience, compared to 45% in 1994 Victoria has the highest percentage of experienced coders, with 43% of coders in Victoria having more than 10 years experience

11. Factors Affecting Coding Quality The top four factors affecting coding quality were similar between 1994 and 2002: Incomplete medical record content Principal diagnosis not identified Complications/comorbidities not identified Illegible medical record entries

12. Factors Affecting Coding Quality

13. Conclusions Some variations identified between 1994 and 2002 coder workforce Coders today more experienced suggesting more stable workforce Mixture of other backgrounds, particularly clinical/nursing Reassuring trend given the increasing complexity of coding

14. Further Information Coding Matters (March and June) NCCH Monograph series (September) Contact: Kirsten McKenzie or Sue Walker NCCH Brisbane