In CDS Snapshot, we're profiling CDSs from across Australia and ICD-10-AM countries. We'll get to hear how they got into the role, their triumphs, and challenges they've faced. CDSs contribute enormously to patient safety, quality of care, health service sustainability, and CDI as a whole, and we want them front and centre!
In this instalment, we're looking even further afield...all the way to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia! Theresa Garvey is a Level 1 Certified CDS at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh.
Tell us about your current role.
I started in the role just over 1 year ago in September 2020. We had our training from CDIA in January and I completed my Level 1 certification in June.
What is your career background, and how has that contributed to your ability to work as a CDS?
I have almost 20 years' nursing experience in 4 countries in pretty much all areas of in-patient health care. I believe this is invaluable experience as I have a relatively good understanding of most speciality areas and I have had years of experience working with and communicating with physicians.
What made you apply for a CDS role?
I am really interested in research and education and am always open to new challenges. I also love working with people and the role of CDS is perfectly in line with all of these.
What does your typical day look like?
I try to arrive early at 6.30am so that I can get as many of my reviews done as possible, and I try to focus on new admissions at this time. I do this so that I can meet the physicians once they’ve finished their ward round, usually between 12.30 and 2.30pm. This was agreed with them as the best time to discuss any potential queries. I complete any follow-up reviews in the afternoon and also I use this time to focus on additional CDS tasks such as developing educational material, mini research projects etc.
What was the moment when CDI really “clicked” for you?
Definitely after the CDIA training. Probably a month or so after that. It put everything into perspective, and gave me a better understanding on what to focus on.
How would you describe your personal CDI philosophy?
I feel in-person meetings for both education and querying works best. The more often I visit physicians, even if it's just to say a quick hi, it helps build rapport and they have been much more likely to change their documentation practice and maintain those changes.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as a CDS?
There has been one group of physicians in which it has been almost impossible to have any real face-to-face engagement. Because of where they work they have opted to have online meets and usually the only way to reach them is via phone conversations. However, despite having numerous meetings explaining our role and the need for their collaboration, they have continued to feel as if it is their medical practice/judgement that is in question. I feel that this issue would be eliminated, or certainly greatly reduced, if it was possible to meet these people in person
What is the most memorable “win” you’ve had?
We have recently expanded our role to cover more services. I am now meeting some physicians that I have met earlier in the year but have rotated to other services. Most remember me and have stated that they now pay special attention to their documentation based on our previous interaction and I can see an enormous difference in documentation from when I started in the role to now.
If you could talk to yourself 10 years ago and tell them you’re now a CDS, what do you think they would say?
Good on you for choosing a role that it is much easier to see the difference you are making….
Favourite DRG?
F62
Favourite additional diagnosis?
I have many. Constipation / uncontrolled blood sugars / Hyperkalemia – most have been poorly documented in the past but have an impact both on the patient's well-being, length of stay, and of course the money. Now I am seeing these documented without having to be queried.
What are you excited about in the future of your role?
My aim is to help support physicians in changing the current EMR system in use, to make it a more user friendly process and therefore better reflect their work. This has been the biggest obstacle noted.
Want to be the next CDS profiled on CDS Snapshot? Contact us at community@cdia.com.au.
We invite you to share your ideas, experiences, and achievements in CDI by submitting content to the CDIA Community! Contact community@cdia.com.au to learn more.