I have read that there is no time limit to POA (Y) of condition, but I have read somewhere that if its in 48 hours of admission consider POA (Y) Anyone knows where is the reference for 48 hours or two days of admission?
I am not aware of a specific reference. POA is a condition that is present at the time the order for inpatient admission occurs so there would have to be evidence that the diagnosis was present though not specified in initial notes. For example, a UTI could be coded as POA if on admission the patient had dysuria and cultures obtained at that time were subsequently reported to be positive and the UTI documented once cultures confirmed the diagnosis. Similar circumstance could occur in a patient admitted with a diagnosis of cough and fever with a normal CXR. A repeat CXR after hydration 1-2 days later then showed an infiltrate and a diagnosis of pneumonia was documented. The PNA was POA. In many instances, this is not so clear cut and only a query to confirm POA status would answer the question. I am interested in what others may have to say.
Comments
POA is a condition that is present at the time the order for inpatient admission occurs so there would have to be evidence that the diagnosis was present though not specified in initial notes. For example, a UTI could be coded as POA if on admission the patient had dysuria and cultures obtained at that time were subsequently reported to be positive and the UTI documented once cultures confirmed the diagnosis. Similar circumstance could occur in a patient admitted with a diagnosis of cough and fever with a normal CXR. A repeat CXR after hydration 1-2 days later then showed an infiltrate and a diagnosis of pneumonia was documented. The PNA was POA.
In many instances, this is not so clear cut and only a query to confirm POA status would answer the question.
I am interested in what others may have to say.