Encephalitis with encephalopathy

annnd2009@gmail.comannnd2009@gmail.com
in CDI Talk Archive
Hi,
We had a weird case come up...

Does anyone have any information on if coding Encephalitis with encephalopathy is acceptable? It seems "too good to be true" to not have encephalopathy be integral to encephalitis but ...?

If no one knows differently it may be a good one to know!

Thanks,
Ann Donnelly,RN,CCDS
x44793
720-525-6499

Comments

  • axel.olson@essentiahealth.orgaxel.olson@essentiahealth.org
    edited April 2016
    there is no mention of encephalopathy in the exclusion lists for encephalitis.

    Ive not found any coding clinics or guidelines saying that they cannot both be coded.

    Not everyone who has Encephalitis will become encephalopathic.

    -but looking at the above sentance it does look and sound
    awkard.

    However... inflamation/infection of the brain does not require encephalopathy in its definition.

    I believe I would capture it.. but ive not heard/read anything of the contrary.

    Im curious as to what others would do?

    Hope I've not confused the issue :)

    Axel Olson, RN, CDS
    Clinical Documentation Improvement
    Axel.Olson@essentiahealth.org
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