Q&A: A fib as a CC/MCC

CDI Strategies - Volume 13, Issue 54

Q: Is there ever a circumstance where atrial fibrillation can be used as a CC or MCC?

A: Yes, there are times when a diagnosis of long standing persistent atrial fibrillation (code I48.11) and Other persistent atrial fibrillation (code I48.19) which has as inclusion terms chronic persist atrial fibrillation and persistent atrial fibrillation not otherwise specified can be used as a CC. It must, however, meet the criteria established by the Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set of a “other” or “secondary” diagnosis which is a diagnosis that was:

  • Clinically evaluated, or
  • Therapeutically treated, or
  • Diagnostic procedure, or
  • Extends length of stay in hospital, or
  • Increases nursing care and/or monitoring

The condition can be present at the time of admission or develop after admission. When reviewing the medical record, make sure that the diagnosis is not a “history of” condition.

Editor’s Note: Sharme Brodie, RN, CCDS, CDI education specialist and CDI Boot Camp instructor for HCPro in Middleton, Massachusetts, answered this question. For information, contact her at sbrodie@hcpro.com. For information regarding CDI Boot Camps, click here.