CD ASSESSOR™ FAQ

FAQ Contents:

How Safe is it? • How Well Does it Address Level of Care? • Is it individualized? • Are the reports of high quality • Does it save time? • How can we use CD ASSESSOR if we don't have computers for our counselors? • Can CD Assessor help us if we are already doing assessments with word processing? • Can CD ASSESSOR help us if we currently hand write and then type assessments?• What are the Computer Specifications?• Who is qualified to use CD Assessor? • Is CD Assessor secure and completely HIPAA compliant? • How are passwords and usernames assigned?
• How will patient records be archived? • How many questions are included in CD Assessor? • How long does an assessment take? • Can a facility or counselor add information to the questions in CD Assessor? • Can CD Assessor be accessed with an APPLE computer? • More Questions?

How Safe is it?

CD Assessor™ is an extremely safe and secure computer program. Our website includes an extremely high level of encryption and other advanced security methods. We are certified by VeriSign®. A VeriSign® certificate assures protection for e-commerce and other private information with 128-bit encryption, the strongest SSL protection anywhere. If you have more questions, please go here to Learn more...

How Well Does it Address Level of Care?

Our structured interview process and decision rules ensure that all placement criteria have been met. As an aid in determining level of care, ASAM PPC 2R is specifically referenced by page number for each dimension and treatment level.

Is it individualized?

Yes. Even the header of the assessment report is customized for each facility by using information provided by in the Setup Section. In the assessment, there are over 2000 possible answers, and the unique response patterns of each client leads to follow-up questions. CD Assessor™ generates each CD assessment report from the unique combination of the client's responses. In addition, counselors have ample opportunities to type in their comments for each ASAM dimension.

Are the reports of high quality?

Yes. CD Assessor™ generates professionally formatted final reports that are audit ready. These reports meet national standards and include DSM IV diagnostic and ASAM placement recommendations. CD Assessor™ incorporates the criteria for both Dual Diagnosis Capable and Dual Diagnosis Enhanced Program Criteria into the placement recommendations. CD Assessor™ also allows a qualified counselor to make DSM IV, five axis mental health diagnosis.

Does it save time?

Yes. CD Assessor™ eliminates redundant questions and presents the precise information needed to complete each item in the assessment, without constantly referring back to previously answered questions. More than 75% of the assessment questions are in a point-and-click format with check boxes or drop-down menus. Client responses to the questions and fill-ins are automatically converted into the final report. CD Assessor™ also eliminates the need for dictating or typing the assessment reports. The report is automatically ready to print after the last question is answered.

How can we use CD ASSESSOR if we don't have computers for our counselors?

Today the cost of computers and internet service is very affordable. Counselors using CD Assessor™ will save more than the cost of a new computer. You may want to check the prices by searching on Google looking for "best price computers." The savings in counselor's time and stress can easily justify the purchase of this technology.

Can CD ASSESSOR help us if we are already doing assessments with word processing?

Yes. Counselors will more rapidly generate comprehensive assessments by using CD Assessor's point-and-click technology. In addition, CD Assessor™ includes many features not included in standard word-processing programs. Administrators can complete a number of administrative functions from their own computer. They can examine or QA their facility's assessments, directly control counselor's passwords and access, see the time required to complete each assessment, access the archive of all their assessments (which we maintain on our secure server), and identify who and when an assessment file has been edited or deleted.

Can CD ASSESSOR help us if we currently hand write and then type assessments?

Yes. CD Assessor™ totally eliminates these costs by immediately and automatically generating your printed assessment reports with just a click!

What are the Computer Specifications?

It is important to have a computer with high-speed internet access such as Broadband cable or DSL. If not, your computer modem ought to have a connection speed of at least 128 kbps. To check your connection speed click here. To compare Fast and Economical Internet Service Providers providing high-speed internet access in your area, click here.
CD Assessor and its companion programs require a computer that runs at a speed of at least 1.0 GHz.
It is recommended that the computer have a minimum of 128 MB RAM.
If you have any questions about your computer system, e-mail our tech support at tech@cdassessor.com.

Who is qualified to use CD Assessor™?

Any chemical dependency or addictions counselor, who has been authorized by his/her facility or department administrator maybe may access CD Assessor™. Individuals who operate a single person facility and act as both the counselor and director may also use CD Assessor™. Account setup requires the director/administrator to authorize pre-payment of the number of assessments desired with a valid credit card. Treatment directors/administrators are also responsible for the authorization and creation a user name and login password for each counselor.

Is CD Assessor™ secure and completely HIPAA compliant?

Yes. CD Assessor™ is fully HIPAA compliant. Every step has been taken to assure confidentiality of client information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA") outlines minimum standards which need to be met to insure the confidentiality, privacy and security of health care information in the Internet environment. HIPAA requires that health organizations that store or transfer patient data over the Internet must be HIPAA compliant as of April 13, 2003. HIPAA requires that all health related data transferred over the Internet be done using industry standard 128-bit encryption technologies. All of PCR's computer services including PCR's FTP Server, fully support 128-bit SSL and SSH Public Key encryption technologies.

CD Assessor™ maintains HIPAA compliance and ensures privacy of patient data at the data center by employing the following methods:

Keeping the data stored in a locked and twenty-four hour monitored physical environment
Maintaining a firewall, and using a high level of encryption during data transmission to ensure the privacy of patient data
Providing a free download of a "Business Associate" agreement between Professional Counseling Resources and our customers

If you have any security questions please email us at TechSupport@cdassessor.com.

How are passwords and usernames assigned?

Passwords and usernames assigned by the administrators, once they have submitted the appropriate information and payment authorization to Professional Counseling Resources, LLC.

How will patient records be archived?

Unless requested by the facility director, patient records generated by computer programs at PCR will be available for immediate retrieval for a period of one year and be achieved for a period of five years which can be retrieved for auditing purposes; PCR will archive an account of which end users access (read, write, delete) patient data.

How many questions are included in CD Assessor™?

A minimum of 178 questions must be answered and as many as 696 questions may be answered depending upon the extent of the client's substance use and other problems. A total of 2465 different responses are possible using CD Assessor™.

How long does an assessment take?

It generally takes to 40 minutes to 90 minutes, depending upon the extent of the client's drug history and other problems. If the client has used only two or three drugs it will take closer to 40-50 minutes. If the client has an extensive drug history the assessment may take more than 90 minutes. We have found that, on average, using CD Assessor™ reduces assessment time by about 25%. CD Assessor™ also generates a professionally formatted report that you can print in seconds after completing the assessment. Also, with CD Assessor™, you do not need to dictate and type the assessment. This will result in a significant cost savings.

Can a facility or counselor add information to the questions in CD Assessor&trade?

CD Assessor™ is designed to permit the counselor to add information at the end of each of the ASAM dimension. The information will then appear in the final assessment report. If you have a specific request for customization of CD ASESSOR™ you can contact our tech support team. (Click on Contact Us in the header at the top of this page.)

Can CD Assessor&trade be accessed with an APPLE computer?

Yes. Any computer with internet access can use CD Assessor™.