In part one of this two-part series, Allen Frady, RN, BSN, CCS, CRC, CCDS, gives tips to CDI and coding teams on how to help improve healthcare quality scores by reviewing CMS star rating calculations, department challenges, physician education, and more.
Q: We have a patient admitted for COVID-19 who is now showing signs of cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Can you give our team more information on symptoms or clinical indicators for CRS as well as any ICD-10-CM coding advice?
It’s important for inpatient coders to frequently review hospital-acquired conditions (HAC) and the rules governing their assignment in order to ensure proper reimbursement. Part two of this two-part series will review HACs in particular as part one focused on present on admission indicators.
COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized as inpatients cost significantly more than those treated in an outpatient setting, according to data from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Sarah Nehring, RHIT, CCS, CCDS, writes that ICD-10-CM codes for immunodeficiencies are CCs for inpatient admissions and can impact severity of illness and risk of mortality calculations, which is why they are important for coders to frequently review. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Audrey Howard, RHIA, and Susan Belley, RHIA, CPHQ , write that since acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is included as a common respiratory manifestation of COVID-19 in the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting , it is essential to understand the syndrome for accurate and complete inpatient reporting. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
It’s important for inpatient coders to frequently review hospital-acquired conditions (HAC) and present on admission (POA) indicators and the rules governing their assignment in order to ensure proper reimbursement. Part one of a two-part series will review POA indicators in particular.
Alba Kuqi, MD, CICA, CCS, CDIP, CCDS, CRCR, CSMC, MSHIM, RHIA, says with recent audit activity and the Office of Inspector General’s continued scrutiny of malnutrition diagnoses, it’s important to dig into the coding and documentation requirements for this tricky diagnosis, particularly in the case of COVID-19 patients.
According to a study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism , 55% of Black patients with both COVID-19 and Type 1 diabetes also presented with diabetic ketoacidosis.
Q: We had a patient admitted with a negative COVID-19 test, but after being retested the patient had a positive COVID-19 result. Should we query the provider whether COVID-19 was POA?
