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 »
In 2008, only 11% of respondents to an ACDIS poll indicated their CDI program either reviewed outpatient records for documentation improvement opportunities or were looking to expand into outpatient areas (8% and 3% respectively).
How has the climate changed? Of the more than 400...Read More »
Genevir O. Del Mundo, CDIP, CCS, CCA (“Apple” to his friends), a CDI specialist at Kindred Hospital, grew up in the Philippines watching his father help people and save lives. He always wanted to be a doctor, too, to follow in his father’s footsteps. Transitioning from one...Read More »
Kathy Wright is an RHIT and CCDS and was an inpatient coder for 23 years before moving into CDI in 2012. Erika Duncan is a nurse who earned her bachelor’s degree and CCDS credential and came to CDI two years ago after a varied career including time in case management, intensive care, emergency...Read More »
