October 10, 2018 — Medical coding software provider ZHealth recently unveiled Etch, the first-ever software platform that addresses both the documentation and the coding challenges of complex cardiovascular procedures. Etch was launched at the 2018 American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) convention, Sept. 22-26 in Miami Beach, Fla.
ZHealth President David Zielske, M.D., said the company created Etch because there was a need for improved coding accuracy rates associated with structured reporting systems. According to Zielske, ZHealth found that only about half of complex cardiovascular procedures are accurately coded. He said the average under-coding can be $140-$200 per case for Medicare reimbursement alone.
Etch features interactive anatomical maps that make the system faster and clearer than traditional voice dictation alone. A built-in expert system automatically codes cardiovascular procedures and gives more power to the reviewer. Zielske also noted the software interfaces directly with hospital hemodynamic systems, inventory systems, lab scheduling, and patient records to minimize documentation time and avoid redundant entry.
For more information: www.zhealth.io
October 05, 2026 
