Queries regarding surgical complications- when it isn't...
Does anyone have a good template or sample for when a diagnosis is documented as "postop" and is going to be coded as a complication but shouldn't be?
we use a standard template with verbiage of
Is this an expected finding after a procedure?
then we enter what is documented - then the clinical indicators found- and then give the providers options - validating surgical complication, or expected due to: X, unavoidable due to X, other ( please specify) , unable to determine. Wondering if there is a better way to ask-
thanks in advance
Comments
__ This was a complication of the procedure
__ This was an incidental occurrence inherent to the procedure
__ This was a complication but not due to the surgery (please specify cause):
__ This was likely related to a pre-operative comorbidity (please specify cause):
__ Other (please specify):
__ Unable to determine (please comment):
These are the options we use in our template for the provider to choose from----- of course we provide the documentation needing clarification, clinical indicators to support the query, procedure completed...etc
Hope this helps!