RE: [MARKETING] [EXTERNAL] heart failure vs. CHF
Heart failure is the term replacing congestive heart failure in the
literature. Kind of like acute kidney injury replacing acute renal
failure. Of course the challenge exists that codes haven't caught up
with the NYHA guidelines. Maybe one day, but not today.
Regarding the coding you see in your grouper I've seen this many times
for many years. I even asked the coders about it and they are told even
if they have a code for exacerbation of systolic heart failure they need
to put in a second code for unspecified heart failure. I don't know the
rationale, but in any event the exacerbation is captured and the second
code is there too.
Not sure if this helps or not.
Robert
Robert S. Hodges, MSN, BSN, RN, CCDS
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
VHA CDI Council Member
Aleda E. Lutz VAMC
Mail Code 136
1500 Weiss Street
Saginaw MI 48602
P: 989-497-2500 x13101
F: 989-321-4912
E: Robert.Hodges2@va.gov
VA Core Values: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence
("I CARE")
VA Core Characteristics: Trustworthy, Accessible, Quality, Innovative,
Agile, Integrated
"We are dealing with Veterans, not procedures; With their problems, not
ours." --General Omar Bradley
literature. Kind of like acute kidney injury replacing acute renal
failure. Of course the challenge exists that codes haven't caught up
with the NYHA guidelines. Maybe one day, but not today.
Regarding the coding you see in your grouper I've seen this many times
for many years. I even asked the coders about it and they are told even
if they have a code for exacerbation of systolic heart failure they need
to put in a second code for unspecified heart failure. I don't know the
rationale, but in any event the exacerbation is captured and the second
code is there too.
Not sure if this helps or not.
Robert
Robert S. Hodges, MSN, BSN, RN, CCDS
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
VHA CDI Council Member
Aleda E. Lutz VAMC
Mail Code 136
1500 Weiss Street
Saginaw MI 48602
P: 989-497-2500 x13101
F: 989-321-4912
E: Robert.Hodges2@va.gov
VA Core Values: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence
("I CARE")
VA Core Characteristics: Trustworthy, Accessible, Quality, Innovative,
Agile, Integrated
"We are dealing with Veterans, not procedures; With their problems, not
ours." --General Omar Bradley