Author: Erhardt, Walter L.; Medal, Diana

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: September 2003

Recent advances in the science of wound healing are making an impact on the treatment of burns. This is particularly evident not only in the way burn wounds are being managed initially, but also in how these wounds are being reconstructed. While these scientific advances make this field an exc....

Author: Mullin, Robert L.

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: July 2003

For accurate profiling and utilization assessment, a single patient classification system compatible with a wide variety of coding systems and clinical practices is needed. It also provides a reliable basis for healthcare funding and budgeting. However, many of the patient classification syste....

Author: Kennedy, James S.; Stanfill, Mary H

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: July 2003

HIM professionals serve a vital public health role as they capture and report illnesses, including the newly discovered Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Accurate reporting of SARS and its comorbid or complicating conditions facilitates optimal disease tracking, use of resources, and p....

Author: Jones, Lolita M.

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: June 2003

Podiatry is the specialty that manages diseases and problems of the feet. Many coding specialists find it difficult to assign CPT codes to podiatry cases. Because so many podiatry procedures are currently performed in the outpatient setting, it is common for coding specialists to be faced with....

Author: Hull, Susan

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: June 2003

A prospective payment system has been in effect for Medicare reimbursement for various healthcare providers for almost 20 years. Most recently, long-term acute care hospital (LTCH) facilities have been added to the prospectively reimbursed providers. This is a significant change from the cost-....

Author: Vlahos, Nikos F.; Zeisset, Ann M.

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: May 2003

Coding professionals routinely code abdominal or pelvic adhesions. Recent advances in treatment and a newly approved ICD-9-CM procedure code, however, bring the topic to the forefront. Is your knowledge current?

This article will explain what pelvic adhesions are, the surgical techn....

Author: Prophet-Bowman, Sue

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: May 2003

Sepsis, severe sepsis, SIRS, and septic shock have long been a source of confusion for coders. New ICD-9-CM codes established recently for Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), and additional proposed code revisions have added to the confusion regarding the differentiation among these....

Author: Orenstein, Anita

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: April 2003

In the past 10 years, coronary stenting has become an effective technique for percutaneous treatment of atherosclerotic heart disease. Although stenting has successfully reduced the rate of restenosis, the incidence of in-stent restenosis continues to be a major complication of the procedure.....

Author: Hutchinson, Mark R.; Stanfill, Mary H

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: April 2003

There are 206 bones in the human body and each is susceptible to fracture. The choices in fracture management are complex and based on a number of issues including fracture type, fracture pattern, specific bone, age of fracture, age of patient, associated injuries, and physician preference. Co....

Author: Prophet-Bowman, Sue

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: March 2003

The ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee, cosponsored by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), met in December 2002, in Baltimore, MD. Donna Pickett, RHIA, from NCHS, and Patricia Brooks, RHIA, from CMS, cochaire....