Q: If the patient is a Medicare beneficiary, why wouldn’t a MS-DRG associated with the newborns and other neonates major diagnostic category (MDC) not be used? Is it because the patient is more than likely 65 (since they are a Medicare beneficiary) and this MS-DRG is for a newborn/...Read More »
An excisional debridement of the skin or subcutaneous tissue is the surgical removal or cutting away of such tissue, necrosis, or slough and is classified to the root operation Excision. Excisional debridement involves the use of a scalpel to remove...Read More »
Q: Some CDI specialists tell physicians not to document acute renal insufficiency because it does not code to acute renal failure and I am wondering if that is considered appropriate.
For instance, I was reviewing a chart and the physician documented that the...Read More »
CDI specialists working in the adult population are likely familiar with the pathophysiology of several common cardiac conditions and their necessary documentation (i.e., acute myocardial infarction, diastolic versus systolic heart failure, etc.). For the pediatric population, however, CDI...Read More »
Coding Clinic for ICD-10-CM/PCS, First Quarter 2017, which became effective March 15, provides interesting perspectives regarding coding and documentation for Impell®, an implantable heart pump device that supports a patient’s...Read More »
Q: Does sepsis and/or severe sepsis have to be documented in the medical record when only septic shock is noted? We have a couple of physicians that will document septic shock without noting sepsis and/or severe sepsis. I was informed that coding needs to also have the documentation of...Read More »
One of the tasks I enjoy most in my role as the ACDIS associate director of membership and product development is getting to interact with our book authors and CDI Boot Camp instructors. Many of these talented professionals have been involved in CDI longer than...Read More »
