A new position paper written by the ACDIS Advisory Board (see the Position Paper section of the website) seeks to clearly define the CDI specialist’s role and establish professional standards for implementing new programs, redefining an existing department, or hiring new staff members.
As of this writing, it appears that ICD-10 will be delayed at least another year. Note my use of “at least” because the actual language in the bill does not include a new enforcement date, but says “no earlier” than 2015.
The bill, H.R. 4302 – Protecting Access to Medicare (...Read More »
Q: I am a relatively new CDI specialist in a relatively new CDI program. We learned that we should be examining the health record with an eye toward “what bought the bed.” When we raise this concept to our coders, however, they disagreed with the premise, telling us that such a...Read More »
I became a physician because I enjoy taking care of sick people. In today’s environment, however, I am subject to numerous unanticipated burdens that interfere with my continued enjoyment of that privilege. In discussions with my colleagues, I clearly have...Read More »
Thankfully, some of the documentation and coding issues I have been screaming about over the past 10 years have been heard with the transition to ICD-10.Read More »
What is the correct code assignment for a diagnosis of postoperative aspiration pneumonia? ICD-9-CM’s Tabular List under code 997.39 provides the following inclusion terms: “Pneumonia (aspiration) resulting from a procedure.” However, the instructional note under category 997 states, “Use...Read More »
“If ICD- 10-PCS is not necessary, why the debate? Why should we bother assigning codes when we don’t have to?”The ICD-10 system was designed to improve clinical communication via modernization and standardization of codes and descriptions. The ICD-10-PCS side provides additional specificity to...Read More »
