In the latest in our Hello my name is..., newly qualified Gurdeep tells us about himself, as well as explaining his top tips for accurate clinical coding*. The Clinical Coding Team - latest winners of the THIS Team of the Year Award, are 100% reliant on clinical documentation being completed accurately in EPR and other sytems.
Hello my name is…
Gurdeep Bains and I live with my wife, parents, sister and nephew Jesse. I have worked in the Trust for 3.5 years. I am part of a family whom are currently working/have worked within the NHS. I could not have done the past year without my supportive wife and family as I have been studying for my exam to be an accredited Clinical Coder. This next year is now a year of celebrations - with me turning 30 as well as my brother’s wedding and (both) Dads big 60s! I love all sports and I am a huge Liverpool fan and this could be the year we finally win the league!
What is your position?
Apprentice Auditor ACC
Summarise your career background
I studied Marketing at university and passed my degree however my interest at the time was Health & Fitness. I started Personal Training and qualified as a level 4 GP Referral instructor and pursued this for 3 years. Although I enjoyed training myself as well as clients, I soon realised this wasn’t the long-term career I was after. This is how I started working in the Trust as a Clinical Coder. After having 2 years’ experience in the role, I started to focus on becoming an accredited Clinical Coder. I passed my theory exam in March 2018 and then my practical exam in September 2018. This was one of my biggest achievements since graduating and I am now aiming to pass my Auditing exam in years to come.
What is the highlight of your career so far?
Passing the ACC exam in September 2018.
Sum up your role in three words
Challenging, Interesting, and Thoroughness.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Footballer
Who is your hero/heroine and why?
My parents. From a young age, I have grown up with them working hard but always making time for my sisters and me. They have taught me to always work hard to achieve your goals.
When you are not at work, how do you relax?
Spending time with my family, training in the gym, eating out, enjoying my wife’s home baking/cooking, watching football.
What is your favourite place?
Barcelona, where my wife and I got married in February 2017.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I have a big fear of heights! Currently trying to overcome heights this year!
We asked Gurdeep for the top three things that would make his job as a coder more effective:
- More accurate clinical documentation (including EPR, other clinical systems and paper mini-packs). Sometimes it can be difficult to analyse the primary diagnosis, as it isn’t always clear what condition/s has/have been treated.
- Improvement on Data Quality Issues. We receive data quality issues i.e. admission and discharges being incorrect as well as transfers. If these were accurate at source it would give more time for coding rather than having to spend time on looking at issues with data quality.
- Issues currently around the problem list on EPR. Currently there are numerous co-morbidities that are listed. However, it would be extremely helpful if clinicians reviewed this for accuracy/relevancy to the current episode. If they could also mark conditions as resolved they would go into the past medical history section, rather than stay within the current list.