Q: One of my CDI specialists thought we needed the phrase “unable to clinically determine” as an option on every multiple choice query we send. My take on it is that if we have “other” with an option for free text, that would cover us for compliance. Further, I thought...Read More »
Q: Is it appropriate to code the type of congestive heart failure (CHF) based on the echocardiogram (echo) results? Coding Clinic, Third Quarter, 2014, p. 5, discusses the use of imaging reports for increased specificity. It states that it is appropriate to use imaging...Read More »
Editor’s Note: The ACDIS Conference is only a little over two months away. Over the coming weeks, we’ll take some time to introduce members to a few of this year’s speakers. ...Read More »
Q: If a complication is clearly documented as unavoidable or due to a complex situation, should it be coded even if an intervention was done to correct it? My concern is if a complication is unavoidable and has been documented as such, is there a good enough reason to not code...Read More »
Q: I have a question about coding a medically-induced coma, for example, a patient on a Precedex drip for alcohol withdrawal, supported with mechanical ventilation, and intensive nursing care.Read More »
Q: A patient with aspiration pneumonia and acute respiratory failure received treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the physician documentation but there isn’t any documentation for clinical indicators for COPD. Should we be clarifying for this...Read More »
Editor’s Note: Over the coming weeks leading up to the conference, we’ll take some time to introduce members to a few of this year’s speakers. ...Read More »