Meet a Member: Taking the first CCDS exam changed everything

Trish Endress, RN, BSN, CCDS, is a CDI specialist at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, Texas, and a member of the Texas ACDIS local chapter. She’s been in the CDI field for 16 years.

ACDIS: What did you do before entering CDI? Why did you get into this line of work?
Endress: Before CDI, I worked in case management.

The CDI position was offered to me by our CFO at the facility. I was referred by a co-worker and I graciously accepted.

ACDIS: What has been your biggest challenge?
Endress: Educating physicians on the constant change from a documentation perspective. It at times seems we educate them on something only to have it change the next October.

ACDIS: What has been your biggest reward?
Endress: Managing up my co-workers and employees. It is extremely rewarding when you train/precept a new CDI specialist and then you see the light bulb go on—it makes all the dedication and commitment worthwhile.

ACDIS: How has the field changed since you began working in CDI?
Endress: At first CDI was more about working collaboratively with physicians to capture appropriate diagnoses in the chart for additional reimbursement for the resources consumed to care for the patient. Now as a CDI specialist, we work collaboratively with the physicians to have a positive impact on the quality of their documentation and care management of the patients.

ACDIS: Can you mention a few of the “gold nuggets” of information you’ve received from colleagues on The Forum or through ACDIS?
Endress: The ACDIS website has many resources available. Among many things, you can find query templates that will assist you in creating your own templates. As far as the ACDIS conference, you can connect with other individuals that have the same challenges that you have and learn how they overcame some of the obstacles. This can help you by learning from their mistakes as well as their successes in dealing with some of the same issues.

ACDIS: If you have attended, how many ACDIS conferences have you been to? What are your favorite memories?
Endress: I have attended I believe five conferences. I have so many good memories, but I think the one that stands out the most is when I took the first CCDS exam. I just remember going up the elevator at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and knowing that I was going to take an exam that would change my future and career—and it did!

ACDIS: What piece of advice would you offer to a new CDI specialist?
Endress: Don’t get overwhelmed. CDI is a complex role and it takes time to grasp everything. Don’t be too hard on yourself when you make mistakes. Learn from them and move on. CDI is constantly evolving and requires constant learning and re-evaluating.

ACDIS: If you could have any other job, what would it be?
Endress: I have that exact job. I am now a regional CDI manager and I not only love the field of CDI, but I have the best team anyone could ask for. I love mentoring new hires and learning together as a team the ever-evolving role of CDI.

ACDIS: What was your first job?
Endress: All the way through high school and college I was a cook in a restaurant. I was lucky enough to have a manager who was a great mentor. He taught me how to manage up how to be independent and I sure can make a mean homemade chocolate cream pie.

ACDIS: Can you tell us about a few of your favorite things?

• Vacation spots: Anywhere that has a beach.
• Hobbies: Cooking, baking, anything that has to do with animals.
• Non-alcoholic beverage: Water or unsweetened iced tea.
• Foods: Mexican food.
• Activities: Water volleyball, walking.

ACDIS: Tell us about your family and how you like to spend your time away from CDI.
Endress: My family and I spend a lot of time cooking, eating, and laughing. We spend a lot of time planning our next adventures.