RE: Anemia of Chronic Disease

pfowlerpfowler
edited May 2016 in CDI Talk Archive
My anemia query sheet has choices for the docs to choose the type. Several of the docs love to check Anemia of Chronic Disease, but they have a blank to fill in the disease. They leave it blank, how can I get them to specify the type of disease?

Patsy Fowler RN, MSN, CCDS
Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist
Marion Regional Medical Center
PO Box 1150
Marion, SC 29571
Office 843-431-2044
Cell 843-431-2863
Fax 843-431-2475



Comments

  • robert.hodges2robert.hodges2
    My question is if it is worth the hassle of hunting them down to that level of specificity? I would say yes if it impacts the final DRG assignment, but unless it adds a CC or MCC it may not be worth the time spent.

    Perhaps a different approach may work. If I see anemia and for example chronic liver failure, I will ask if they are related and if so can they document that link. That way I get a more precise answer and avoid even bringing up anemia of chronic disease as an option.

    Just thinking out loud so to speak.

    Robert

    Robert S. Hodges, BSN, MSN, RN
    Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
    Aleda E. Lutz VAMC
    Mail Code 136
    1500 Weiss Street
    Saginaw MI 48602
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