Harrisburg , PA , April 19, 2004 – The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) announced today collaboration with Alternative Link to create additional nursing terminology within the ABC coding system for nearly 50 nursing specialties.  ABC codes are designed to fill critical coding gaps that currently exist in the nursing profession.

A s part of this initiative, the NACNS is assembling nursing experts to work closely with Alternative Link to further develop code terminology for 48 nursing specialties. 

“The NACNS decision to collaborate with Alternative Link not only demonstrates their support and belief in the use of ABC codes, but also recognizes the immediate need to fill critical gaps in mandatory standards under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA),” said Melinna Giannini , president and founder of Alternative Link, the developer of ABC codes for alternative medicine and integrative healthcare. “We are delighted that the NACNS has chosen to focus on this important initiative.”  

ABC codes are recognized by the American Nurses Association, however the NACNS is the first nursing group to take a formal role in the development of code terminology, a key driver in measuring outcomes, costs and utilization, said Ms. Giannini.

“We are pleased to partner with Alternative Link because no other code set fully describes nursing practices as effectively as ABC codes or deals with state nursing scope of practice variances,” said Christine Filipovich, executive director of the NACNS.  Alternative Link’s ABC codes can accommodate almost 12 million combinations of nursing and integrative healthcare services.

“Nurses and clinical nurse specialists are at the core of healthcare delivery but are invisible when nursing functions are not systematically identified.  They also play a critical role in designing and implementing interventions that improve the safety, quality and cost effectiveness of healthcare,” said Ms. Filipovich.  “The development of coding terminology will for the first time provide the means to capture healthcare provided by nurses and clinical nurse specialists and will further nurses’ ability to serve the healthcare industry.”

“We believe that the results of this collaboration will spur significant interest in code development by other practitioners throughout the healthcare industry,” said Ms. Giannini.  “When an organization like the NACNS takes a leading role in the development and acceptance of code terminology, patients gain broader access to quality and cost-effective care.”

Alternative Link (www.alternativelink.com)

Alternative Link, the developer of ABC codes, delivers information products and consulting services that help health-promoting organizations and individuals finance, administer and deliver cost-effective care that improves individual and public health, business and industry efficiencies and socioeconomic development. 

National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (www.nacns.org)

The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), founded in 1995, exists to enhance and promote the unique, high value contribution of the clinical nurse specialist to the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities, and to promote and advance the practice of nursing. Members of NACNS benefit from national, regional, and local efforts of the Association to make the contributions of CNSs more visible.