Q: We are struggling with how to query physicians regarding complications of procedures or surgeries. For example, a patient was readmitted for a bile leak two weeks after a cholecystectomy. Neither the attending nor the GI consultant ever stated that this was a complication. Can you...Read More »
Q: We recently had a case where the patient was admitted for “sepsis secondary to a urinary infection (UTI) with chronic Foley.” I am wondering if there is a AHA Coding Clinic for ICD-9-CM tosupport coding this case to 996.64, Infection and inflammatory reaction due to...Read More »
Q: A question was raised by some of the members of my staff regarding the titles of queries. If a query is entitled “Sepsis Query” even if it is an open-ended question is it leading?
A: We must remember that we cannot be leading in our query practice; we...Read More »
Q: I was told that a multiple choice query should have at least four options. Keeping in mind that there may be only one reasonable option in a multiple choice query, what would be a good fourth option for a query about hyperkalemia if the other options are:
Q:I understand that most CDI departments develop a standardized list of clinical indicators/criteria to support query efforts. Is this something we need to develop or is it available in the encoder process? If we need to develop this, how do we go about that?...Read More »
Q: We recently had a situation where a 72 year old was admitted with large pleural effusion, fever, elevated white blood cell count, and a left shift. The provider also documented acute respiratory failure.
