Medical Records Suspension Resumes

The deficiency notification letter process has resumed across Intermountain Health, as of Feb. 16. Beginning on Monday, March 2, medical records suspensions will be enforced in Epic.

Updated delinquency timeframes

The following reports apply to a 10-day delinquency timeframe. Therefore, if the below document types are deficient 10 days after the patient discharges, the deficiency will be considered delinquent.

• History & Physicals/H&P Updates

• Discharge Summaries/Final Progress Notes

• Operative Reports/Procedure Notes/Anesthesia Notes, including pre and post notes

All other deficiencies are moving to a 23-day completion period rather than the prior 30-day completion period.

Catch-up timeframe

We are sending this notice on all letters sent in February. You have only been receiving first Notification Letters since the Epic Journey Go-live. Once the full letter process resumes on March 2, you may already be in a recommended Medical Record Suspension status.

• Please address all current open deficiencies carefully this month so there are no unexpected Medical Record Suspension letters in March.

• Upon login to Epic, you will receive a popup indicating you are missing documentation. A link to your list of deficiencies will be in the popup.

• Utilize this popup to click and view your Inbasket list of deficiencies requiring attention.

Notify HIM of any errors before March

Please ensure HIM is notified if you believe there is an error in a deficiency assigned to you, prior to receiving a potential Medical Records Suspension letter in March.

To do that, simply decline the deficiency, making sure to choose a reason, and insert comments if you think it is in error. This will help us avoid any unnecessary distress if you notice any errors before the full process resumes.

Thank you for addressing your documentation and ensuring you're correctly and completely capturing the care you provide in a timely manner.