Outpatient CDI is still in its pioneer-”ish” stage. Why do I say that? Per the most recent ACDIS survey data, only 31% of respondents indicated their organization had a dedicated OP CDI program.

Progress, but not enough, and still a minority.

So when you find an “OG” who has been working in risk adjustment for well over a decade, you need to pay attention. Odds are they’ve got some lessons to share and wisdom to confer. That certainly describes Amy Campbell, Director of Outpatient CDI for LifePoint Health.

Listen in as we discuss:

• “Building the airplane as we were flying...” Her start and early days in OP CDI.

• A “day in the life of” her role as OP CDI Director today for a large and growing healthcare organization

• Dashboard for success and most impactful/important KPIs

• Manual chart reviews (yes, they do this—no assistive tech). What does a pre-visit review look like/how is it conducted, and what common clarifications and dx opportunities are her team finding?

• Rapid fire round: Biggest OP CDI pet peeve (a doozy), RN vs. HIM staffing decisions, and the hardest part of managing people

• Interesting career stops, from critical care nurse and neurological intensive care nurse, to consulting, to content reviewer for Lippincott.

• Being a mother of an adult child with autism

No matter how great your CDI program is—its spectacular workflow, outstanding chart review team, on-point KPIs, shiny new AI tools—nothing works if you don’t have engaged physicians.

It still all comes down to provider engagement. Without a physician staff who is bought in and willing to participate and document with specificity in the health record, all these efforts are for naught.

But with great engagement, great things are possible.

So where are we today with the big daddy of all CDI topics? Joining me on this episode of #OTR are two physicians with considerable experience and plenty of war stories. Trey LaCharite, Medical Director for CDI and Coding and Clinical Associate Professor for University of Tennessee Medical Center, and Vaughn Matacale, director of the physician advisor group for ECU Health in North Carolina, open up for a frank, no-holds barred discussion on the following topics:

• What is overrated when it comes to provider engagement--and what is underrated?

• The best high-tech solution each recommends, and a great low-tech solution that stands the test of time.

• An ultimate success story winning over a difficult provider or service line.

• Notable failures others can learn from.

• RUSH reunion tour in 2026—yay or nay? Spoiler alert: Of course the answer is yes...

• And other fun stuff you really shouldn't miss...

Fans of Off the Record may recall my recent episode with Chris Petrilli, Director of Revenue Cycle of Operations at NYU Langone, who joined me to discuss his experience delivering a TEDx Talk on artificial intelligence.

Chris was well prepared and delivered a great lecture, which you should definitely check out on YouTube. And on the podcast he sang the praises of a coach brought in to prep him and other NYU Langone staff for the big day on the big stage.

My wheels started to spin, I reached out... and landed that coach for OTR.

Susanna Baddiel is an actress, director, voice over artist and TEDx Speaker Coach. She works in both the UK and the US and is a founder member of Actors Shakespeare Company where she continues to act, direct and coach. She has more than 17 years of experience teaching public speaking, personal impact, presentation skills, leadership development, and executive coaching.

It was my honor to host her in a bit of an offbeat show than the usual mid-revenue cycle topics. But I picked up a few pointers about public speaking that helped me, and I think you will too.

This special episode kicks off November, a month in which I’ll be taking a deep delve into provider engagement. Odds are if you’re trying to engage providers you’ll have to present or educate, and Susanna offers some great advice and practical tips and takeaways.

On this show we cover:

• Her background as an actress in Britain, transition into coaching, and eventually working with niche clients in science and medicine

• Working with the team at NYU and Chris Petrilli—preparing them, building them up, and getting them ready for the big day.

• Why preparation is everything in public speaking, as is gratitude for the opportunity

• Balancing authenticity vs. general principles of good presentation

• The differences between in-person and presenting on camera. Susanna offers some GREAT suggestions for being better on Zoom.

• Books and other resources Susanna recommends