October 1 has come and gone. With the ICD-10 switch now flipped and ICD-10 gap analysis, assessment, training and testing things of the past, what happens next is anyone’s guess. The days immediately following ICD-10 implementation may be filled with crossed fingers and a bit of angst but they will likely provide quick insight to process improvement if carefully monitored. It is likely that created ICD-10 processes have failed to consider all variables. Should you discover your implementation plan has inadvertently overlooked areas, don’t be quick to blame your previous gap analysis and assessment process. Remember during ICD-10 preparation, there have been multiple implementation dates, the addition of a new ICD-10-PCS group and the CMS announcement of a 12 month ICD-10-CM specificity leniency. Rather than looking back and critiquing your ICD-10 assessment plans, turn your time and attention to post-implementation efforts. Post-implementation monitoring is essential to patient care and the financial well-being of your facility. Establishing a post-implementation team focused on the immediate identification and reporting of ICD-10 issues within the first month is critical. Members of your post implementation team should include: patient access, clinicians, HIM/coding, documentation specialists of your CDI program, finance, and IT staff. They should understand the importance of quick identification, collaboration, effective corrective planning and subsequent education. How has your practice been impacted by ICD-10? What have you learned during post-implementation? We’d love to hear from you!