Q: Is there a difference between osteomyelitis and cellulitis? And if so, do I need to query the physician for the conflicting diagnoses? The hospitalist mentions cellulitis of the foot and the wound consult is osteomyelitis of foot. Read More »
I think we’re all familiar with the Law of Unintended Consequences. That’s the concept that something begun with the best of intentions can wind up going horribly awry. Examples include “New Coke” and anything ending in the word “Kardashian.” (...Read More »
Q: I recently was reviewing a chart where the infection control physician stated the patient had sepsis, but the attending listed bacteremia as the diagnosis. I sent a query to clarify which was correct and the attending confirmed bacteremia. On the...Read More »
By Lori Drodge, RHIT, CCS
Ever find yourself thinking that you have too much work to do to find time to read and digest a recent publication of AHA’s Coding Clinic? If so, your hospital’s severity adjusted data could be suffering. All conditions that meet reportable...Read More »
Q: What do you suggest the providers write to describe medication/substance overdose? In my experience, physicians don’t write “poisoning” in these cases. Read More »
My colleague Dr. Douglas Campbell, my senior partner and mentor in all things CDI, dropped into my glass-fronted office the other day with a question. I mention the glass because, as, Dr. Campbell had the foresight to have his glass wall frosted...Read More »
Q: I’ve heard that if a condition cannot be identified as POA, it will not keep the criteria for a principal diagnosis and cannot be sequenced as such. I recently had a patient who was admitted for syncope and all the workup was negative, but it’s...Read More »
I was recently reviewing Coding Clinic, First Quarter 2018, and felt that the question regarding physeal fractures needed more clarification and explanation than was provided in the official answer.
