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How Good DBC Advisors Make a Difference in the Financial and Medical Continuity of Hospitals
- EIFFEL
Providing care is people work. But accounting for care is systems work. And if the latter is not properly arranged, the former quickly comes under threat. "What you don't document, you can't bill," says Thijs Bakker, DBC advisor at EIFFEL. "And when billing falters, financial resources for care come under pressure."
Yet in practice, DBC advisory is still often seen as an administrative role. Fair enough when it comes to clearing backlogs or keeping the basics running. But that's precisely where room for improvement begins. And those who dare to look further discover the real value of good DBC advisory.
Every minute less administration is a minute more for the patient, and that's what it's ultimately about.
Thijs Bakker
No Documentation Means No Revenue
Without accurate documentation, revenues are lost or invoices are sent out (too) late. "I worked at a hospital where documentation had to be brought up to speed quickly, because otherwise they couldn't pay vacation allowances," Thijs explains. "That's not unusual and shows the importance of good administration."
Beyond that, documentation determines not only billing but also what insights you have as a hospital about your care delivery. Think of benchmarks, research or policy choices. "What you don't record, you can't analyze later."
From Lists to Long-Term Solutions
Many assignments start with clearing backlogs or replacing a colleague. Thijs recognizes this: "In my current assignment, I help keep processes running. That's important work. But where I can really make a difference as a DBC advisor is when I can also look at how we can organize it smarter."
That means tracking down errors at the source, making systems more efficient and training physicians in workable documentation routines. "If I see a physician has to click 5 times when it could be done in 3, then it's my job to change that. Because every minute less administration is a minute more for the patient, and that's what it's ultimately about."
Mopping Up or Improving
Hospitals where administration is well organized have more room to steer strategically. "Then you look at completeness, efficiency and future-proofing. When the foundation is shaky, you're mainly busy mopping with the tap running. Then improvement simply isn't on the agenda yet."
But even in those situations, a DBC advisor can make a difference. "Especially when things go wrong, you can make structural improvements."
Sometimes you start with repair, but the goal is always: making sure it runs better afterward.
Thijs Bakker
DBC Advisory as Strategic Link
Good DBC advisors bring more than systems knowledge. They connect healthcare professionals, IT, administration and policy. They identify risks, improve processes and build lasting solutions. Like at a hospital where a specific medication didn't run through the regular billing flow, and documentation therefore remained consistently stuck. "I was asked to get that process moving. It involved a few hundred thousand. Ultimately, I not only helped bring in the money but also arranged for it to run automatically from now on."
At Team EIFFEL, this doesn't just happen individually but from within a team. "We brainstorm with each other, share knowledge and prepare together for upcoming laws and regulations. Like the new reimbursement for emergency departments—we're already working on that." This way, EIFFEL not only stays informed but also stays ahead.