HIMSS' ICD-10 Task Force, in collaboration with VitalWare of Yakima, Wash., has created a pilot program known as VitalVendors to help providers check on the readiness of vendors to test their use of the ICD-10 diagnostic code set.
According to HIMSS, VitalVendors is "a real-time report card to allow ICD-10 affected vendors to self-report relative to their readiness for achieving ICD-10 compliance by October 1, 2013."
Based on answers to survey questions, VitalWare automatically rates vendor readiness on a seven-point scale. Participating vendors will have the opportunity to promote their progress to the healthcare market through the HIMSS ICD-10 PlayBook website and the ability to use the VitalVendors "7 levels of readiness" icon in their website and marketing materials.
VitalVendors will be included in the November launch of the updated ICD-10 Playbook. To be listed in VitalVendors, companies must apply by Nov. 11. No specific products will be mentioned in the report card.
The current ICD-10 Playbook, issued last May, includes papers and instructional materials designed to supplement providers' existing programs and to help those who have fallen behind in preparing for the transition. Among other things, the playbook contains ICD-10 project plan templates, handouts from ICD-10 sessions at HIMSS11 and links to industry webinars and events focused on ICD-10.
VirtalWare also offers providers a "dashboard" product that identifies which vendor products have an impact on ICD-10 within the hospital; shows which products have high impact but low readiness for the ICD-10 transition; and alerts users when vendors reach particular milestones or due dates or are overdue on those goals.
To learn more:
- read the HIMSS press release
- see information on the VitalWare dashboard