Comparative Analysis on the Effectiveness of Manual and Digital Clinical Coding Practice Among Health Information Managers in Selected Hospitals in Lagos State and Fmc, Owo

Clinical coding is a fundamental process in the healthcare industry, essential for translating medical procedures, diagnoses, and other healthcare services into standardized codes. These codes play a critical role in data management, analysis, and reporting, influencing areas such as reimbursement, research, quality improvement, and healthcare management. Manual clinical coding involves human coders reviewing patient medical records and assigning appropriate codes, while digital clinical coding uses automated software systems to extract information and generate codes. This study seeks to determine which approach, manual or digital clinical coding, is more effective in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.The general objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of manual and digital clinical coding practices in selected private hospitals in Lagos State and the Federal Medical Centre, Owo. Specifically, the study examines the satisfaction and effectiveness of both coding practices, as well as the challenges they face. A total enumeration technique was used to sample the entire population of 100 Health Information Management (HIM) professionals in selected private hospitals and federal medical Centre, Owo. Data were collected through online Google questionnaires and a reliability test using Cronbach's alpha (? = 0.772) confirmed the consistency of the questionnaire. The result was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), employing methods such as simple percentage, mean, standard deviation, pie charts, and inferential statistics such as correlational and regression analysis, with a significance level of 95%. Additionally, the relative mean was calculated to determine the leading factors for each objective, Results revealed that 71% of HIM professionals were moderately satisfied with manual clinical coding, with 87% finding it moderately effective. Conversely, 97% of respondents were highly satisfied with digital clinical coding, and 80% deemed it highly effective. Manual clinical coding was reported to be highly challenged by 94% of respondents, whereas 75% identified digital coding as moderately challenged. These findings indicate that while digital clinical coding is associated with higher satisfaction and perceived effectiveness, it also faces significant challenges. Statistical analysis further supported the hypothesis that there is no significant correlation between satisfaction levels and the effectiveness of both manual and digital clinical coding practices. The correlation coefficient's 2-tailed test result gave a p-value of 0.966, greater than the 0.05 confidence level, affirming the null hypothesis. This study provides valuable insights for healthcare organizations considering the adoption of digital coding systems, highlighting the need for robust electronic health record data and efficient coding software to maximize benefits. It is therefore recommended that healthcare institutions prioritize the transition from manual to digital coding systems, invest in comprehensive training programs, implement quality assurance, enhance access to coding references, promote collaboration and communication and adopt advanced analytical tools for trend analysis. In conclusion, the study underscores the significant advantages of digital clinical coding tools over manual practices in private hospitals in Lagos State and FMC, Owo highlighting higher satisfaction levels, improved accuracy, enhanced efficiency, and reduced stress among health information managers.Keywords: Effectiveness, manual clinical coding, digital clinical coding practice