Provider Productivity: A Comparative Study of the Relative Value Unit as a Practice Management Tool at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl Germany
Abstract
The purpose of this Graduate Management Project is to gain an understanding of the relationship between provider productivity, coding accuracy, and coder characteristics at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl Germany. Results of correlation analysis indicate that formal training and duty position play a role in determining a provider's productivity level. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that higher relative value units (RVUs) were associated with trained coders (r(underscored)sub pb = .351, p < 0.001), and with Noncommissioned Officers (r(underscored)sub pb = -.351, p < 0.001) serving as timekeepers. The results suggest that the RVU should not be used as the sole indicator of provider productivity in all military treatment facilities: organizational decisions informed by RVU analysis must be tempered by the effects that other contextual variables nave on productivity. The results of this study suggest that providers at LRMC may not receive RVU credit for as much as 70% of their patient visits and that additional research is needed to fully address the issue of provider productivity in the Military Health System. The author believes this study will raise questions concerning the reliability of the RVU as a management tool for measuring provider productivity at LRMC.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 19, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA432089
Entities
People
- Anthony L. Portee
Organizations
- Baylor University