Meet a Member: A coder with a passion for the clinical finds a home in CDI

Darla Martin, RHIA, CCS, CCDS, is a clinical program manager at Iodine Software. She is a member of the North Carolina and South Carolina ACDIS local chapters, a member of AHIMA and PAHIMA, and is a volunteer member of the ACDIS Forms & Tools Library Committee.

ACDIS Blog: How long have you been in the CDI field?
Martin: I’ve been in CDI for 13 years.

ACDIS Blog: What did you do before entering CDI?
Martin: I was working in inpatient coding and DRG validation, quality measure abstraction, and reporting.

ACDIS Blog: Why did you get into this line of work?
Martin: I think the better question is, who wouldn’t if given the chance? I was interviewing for a coding consultant position and the CEO of the company channeled my passion for the more clinical aspect of coding and steered me to learning and embracing CDI. Once I saw the connection and the overlap between the two fields, it was game over for me. My background is HIM, but my true passion is relating the clinical aspect to what I know as a coder.

ACDIS Blog: What has been your biggest challenge?
Martin: Bringing the basic knowledge of coding into the nursing world. At the heart of everything in the medical community is documentation, which is driven by two factors: the clinical facts and picture of the patient and the coding terminology. These two factors couldn’t be further apart, thus the need for CDI to bridge that gap. Understanding all things coding for CDI enables the coder to appropriately capture a provider’s diagnostic statements and translate them into those ICD-10 codes everyone loves so much!

ACDIS Blog: What has been your biggest reward?
Martin: Bringing the basic knowledge of coding into the nursing world! I absolutely LOVE the educational aspect of my job. So the biggest reward for me, by far, has been imparting my knowledge to those CDI specialists that are new, seasoned, and somewhere in between. I learn something new in this field every day and it is such a joy for me to ALWAYS pass those tidbits or “nuggets” along. There is nothing more satisfying when the bright light of the proverbial lightbulb shines bright above someone’s head or in their eyes with the knowledge of newly gained wisdom.

ACDIS Blog: How has the field changed since you began working in CDI?
Martin: It has enhanced my passion for both my career and my clients in regards to education. I tend to be a good storyteller and when there is a lesson to be learned and a theme behind the “story,” it makes for great fun. What has changed in the field is obviously the development of new tools, enhancing the CDI specialist’s capacity to more efficiently perform the role that has always been the absolute core of CDI: clarifying documentation.

ACDIS Blog: Can you mention a few of the "gold nuggets" of information you've received from colleagues on the Forum or through ACDIS?
Martin: I’ve learned a few things:

1. “There is something new to learn every day in CDI.”
2. “Dig deep, there is always something to clarify.”
3. “Education for the providers is your biggest offense for collaboration and your biggest defense for non-compliance.”

ACDIS Blog: If you have attended, how many ACDIS conferences have you been to? What are your favorite memories?
Martin: I’ve been to four ACDIS conferences now. I love the networking in general, but specifically, being a vendor and meeting the clients through our sponsored party has been great.

ACDIS Blog: What piece of advice would you offer to a new CDI specialist?
Martin: Stick with it and give it time. This job is the best in the world but it takes time to learn all the nuances of it. Knowledge is power and you will gain A LOT of it. Be patient, but also be prepared to pay it forward with that knowledge to both providers and other CDI specialists.

ACDIS Blog: If you could have any other job, what would it be?
Martin: I’d love to operate a rescue farm for old, mistreated, and abandoned pups.

ACDIS Blog: What was your first job?
Martin: I worked as a mechanic in a bowling center and learned two very important life lessons:  first, what it means to have and be a good manager, and second, nothing is better than having the satisfaction at the end of every day knowing you did your best work. (I should mention that my mother was my boss at that job.)

ACDIS Blog: Can you tell us about a few of your favorite things?
Martin: I love the sound of the rain falling on the rooftop, sounds of a summer country evening, sounds of the ocean, and puppy loving.

• Vacation spots: Some beach, somewhere (anywhere)—Hawaii has been the best thus far.
• Hobby: Reading, golfing, attending MLB games (avid Phillies Phan), puzzles (jigsaw and brainteasers)
• Non-alcoholic beverage: Coffee
• Foods: Pizza, pasta, chocolate cake with peanut butter icing, and mint choc chip ice cream…is there anything else?
• Activities: Shopping for books, sneakers, and electronics

ACDIS Blog: Tell us about your family and how you like to spend your time away from CDI.
Martin: I am the only girl and the youngest in a family of five, thus my lively personality. Being a fur baby momma to four very feisty pups keeps me busy on the weekends. I spend most of my free time reading and trying to keep my mind sharp with brainteaser puzzles, but mostly I love to hang out with my nieces and nephews and just really spoil them.

ACDIS Blog: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Martin: I am always up for a challenge and love to problem solve and love meeting new folks! CDI, coding, or healthcare industry in general – bring me your questions and I will not only find the answers but bore you to tears with the details you need to know but didn’t realize you should.