Health Information Management

Examine postoperative condition coding and don't assume complications

HIM Connection, November 4, 2008

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Just because a physician documents a condition during the postoperative period doesn’t mean coders should code this condition as a postoperative complication. Coders need to make this critical distinction to ensure that their coding is precise and accurately reflects a condition that can affect the hospital’s or physician’s quality scores. With the increased focus on quality, it is important to report accurate postoperative complications, understand hospital acquired conditions, and be as accurate as possible when reporting coded data that affect the quality of care a patient received.

Editor’s note: For more information about coding postoperative conditions or to purchase a copy of this article for $10, click here. Note that subscribers to Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies have access to this article in the November issue of the newsletter.



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