Coding Question
Hi everyone! I have a question about syncope. We never use syncope as principal if there is an underlying condition present. A patient came to the ER and physician documented syncope as reason for admission. The cardiologist saw the patient and documented syncope secondary to ventricular fibrillation with rescue shocks from AICD.
Would this be coded as ventricular fibrillation for principal diagnosis? The AICD was interrogated and showed the syncopal episode to be due to vfib. I do not think the patient actually came into the ER in cardiac arrest.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
Syndi
Syndi Hudson, RN, CCM
CDI Specialist
Christus Santa Rosa New Braunfels
600 North Union
New Braunfels, Texas 78130
cynthia.hudson@christushealth.org
830-643-6116 (Office)
830-643-5139 (Fax)
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me." Philippians 3:14
Would this be coded as ventricular fibrillation for principal diagnosis? The AICD was interrogated and showed the syncopal episode to be due to vfib. I do not think the patient actually came into the ER in cardiac arrest.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
Syndi
Syndi Hudson, RN, CCM
CDI Specialist
Christus Santa Rosa New Braunfels
600 North Union
New Braunfels, Texas 78130
cynthia.hudson@christushealth.org
830-643-6116 (Office)
830-643-5139 (Fax)
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me." Philippians 3:14