Documenting from Attending Physicians Vs. Consult Physicians

Sfell1

Hi,  Would anyone be able to tell me if coding can be done from consult physicians' notes as well as the attending physicians' notes?  I was told by my coworker who is a coder that it cannot be coded from the Consult physicians's notes but in the ACDIS apprenticeship materials it says it can be.

Thank you!

drew.siegel205

Diagnoses can be coded from consultant notes. The only problem would be when the attending does not agree with the consultant notes. In that case, the attending documentation takes precedence.  

ebraun

You may code from a consultant's notes as long as there is not conflicting documentation.