CMS recently published a draft ICD-10 MS-DRG definitions. According to the website, the definitions are displayed in 'grouper logic order,' meaning that the MS-DRGs are listed in the order in which the grouper recognizes them. “This enables users to see instances where grouper logic order...Read More »
An emergency department (ED) physician diagnosed a patient with pneumonia. He was concerned about a possible nosocomial etiology given the patient’s recent hospital discharge for problems related to atrial fibrillation. Because the patient’s Pneumonia...Read More »
CMS recently released ICD-10 CC and MCC lists on its web site. It lists the diagnosis by ICD-10 code, then indicates whether it qualifies as a CC/MCC, then it notes exclusions, and offers a description. If the CC or MCC is...Read More »
CDI specialists ideally should review medical records in their entirety and clarify non-specific documentation for reasons other than just principal diagnosis or CC/MCC capture. This recently-released article...Read More »
CDI specialists that incorporate quality measures review in their duties take note: The Joint Commission on Dec. 16 updated its Specifications Manual for National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures. Effective for discharges July 1, 2012, patients documented as receiving “Palliative Care...Read More »
On December 7, CMS published a final rule in the Federal Register that will give qualified organizations such as employers and consumer groups access to data to help them identify high quality healthcare providers or create online tools to help consumers make educated healthcare choices...Read More »
Uninsured patients spend less time in the hospital than insured patients, while Medicare patients stay hospitalized longer than any, according to a study published in the December issue of Annals of Family Medicine. The...Read More »