And other chronic skin ulcer question RE: Unstageable vs. unable to stage?? That is the question

edited May 2016 in CDI Talk Archive
Agree with Mark. I-10 uses the same language to describe pressure ulcer stages (see attached) although the site and the stage are combined into one I-10 code. Unspecified and unstageable are not the same.

What I find interesting with 1-10 is that other chronic ulcers now are coded to site AND level of necrosis. I believe that is where physicians will need education. Does anyone have documentation regarding who can specify the level? Does it have to be the MD or can other clinical staff do so?

Thanks,

Sharon Salinas, CCS
Health Information Management
Barlow Respiratory Hospital
2000 Stadium Way, Los Angeles CA 90026
Tel: 213-250-4200 ext 3336
FAX: 213-202-6490
ssalinas@barlow2000.org
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