Sepsis Query

Does anyone have an updated (10) sepsis query? Second question is a good approach for reverse query for sepsis.

Thank you,

Comments

  • We call these and ANTI-query and specifically ask the provider to "clarify the clinical indicators used from RECOGNIZED criteria for the documented diagnosis of Sepsis"... \

    Juli

  • If you send me your email I can send you our icd-10 sepsis query!

    Juli

    Juli Bovard RN CCDS
    Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist
    Clinical Effectiveness/Clinical Quality
    Rapid City Regional Hospital
    755-8426 (work)
    786-2677 (cell)
    "No Limit to Better......"




  • edited March 2016
    Hi Juli

    I would like to see your I-10 Sepsis query and your "Anti" query if you are willing to share. I would like to compare it to the one we have been using. Thank you.

    afeighner@bvhealthsystem.org

    Amber L. Feighner RN MSN CCDS
    Clinical Documentation Improvement Analyst
    Blanchard Valley Health System
    1900 South Main Street
    Findlay, Ohio 45840
    419-425-5787

  • Thank you, Juli.


    Kim Williams, RN
    Clinical Documentation Specialist
    Revenue Management Department
    kwilliams@halifaxrmc.org
    (252) 535-8154
    (252) 535-8937 fax
  • edited March 2016
    I would be interested if you don't mind sharing. Thank you.

    Debbie
    dwhite@tfhd.com

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    Can you send to angela.clayberg@MWHC.com too?



    Respectfully,



    Angela Clayberg, BA, RN
    Clinical Documentation Improvement Manager
    1201B Sam Perry Blvd., Suite 210
    Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
    angela.clayberg@MWHC.com
    540-741-4093




  • edited March 2016
    I would like this too.
    Cstukenberg@fhn.org.
    Thanks

  • edited March 2016
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    Me too. susan.stanek@bannerhealth.com

    *Susan L Stanek* *RN, BSN*

    *"Some people change their ways when they see the light, others when they
    feel the heat." Caroline Schoeder*

  • I would appreciate it as well.
    vleadbetter@cmcvtx.org

    Thanks,
    Vickie Leadbetter
  • edited March 2016
    Hi Juli
    I would also like this information.
    dee.banet@nortonhealthcare.org

    Thanks
    Dee

  • edited March 2016
    Please send it to me too.
    arozhkovskaya@mhs.net
    Thanks!!!

  • edited March 2016
    Hi Juli
    I would also like this information
    Thanks Corrine

    ccbyrd@mdanderson.org

  • edited March 2016
    Hi everyone, Julie was kind enough to allow us to post her query form in the ACDIS forms and tools library here: http://www.hcpro.com/acdis/forms_tools_group.cfm?topic=WS_ACD_LIB_PEQ You can go ahead and get it from that page.

    Thanks all,
    Brian

  • Please! kbenson@uwhealth.org

    Kathleen Benson RN, BSN, CCDS
    Supervisor, Clinical Documentation Integrity
    UWHealth University of Wisconsin Hospital
    Office Location: University Crossing, 749 University Row, Suite 200
    Mailing Location: 600 Highland Avenue, Mail Code 9920
    Madison, WI 53792-9475
    608-516-5638
    kbenson@uwhealth.org



  • I sent the sepsis query to Melissa and she put it on the ACDIS forms and tools library!

    Juli

  • Hi

    Thanks for sharing query. I had two questions.

    1. SIRS due to infectious process without sepsis...? This is confusing wouldn't the by definition BE sepsis? If they select that than isn't coding in a worse quandary?

    2. Would it be useful to include SIRS due to non-infectious process WITH acute organ dysfunction?

    Thanks,
    Ann

    Sent from my iPhone

  • Ann

    We clarify this as you CAN have SIRS without Sepsis-and still have an infection. In ICD-10 you would then take the localized infection as PDX and NOT sepsis. Our coders actually believe it HELPS them more clearly!

    Juli

  • We have a query that is just for non-infectious SIRS with acute organ dysfunction. We thought it would be prudent to keep them separated to avoid confusion.

    Kathleen Benson RN, BSN, CCDS
    Supervisor, Clinical Documentation Integrity
    UWHealth University of Wisconsin Hospital
    Office Location: University Crossing, 749 University Row, Suite 200
    Mailing Location: 600 Highland Avenue, Mail Code 9920
    Madison, WI 53792-9475
    608-516-5638
    kbenson@uwhealth.org



  • You certainly can have SIRS d/t noninfectious source as well as an infection (ex SIRS 2/2 alcoholic pancreatitis in a patient who also has a UTI). But this would not be 'SIRS 2/2 infectious process without sepsis'. This would be SIRS 2/2 non-infectious process. I too am confused by the wording. By definition, SIRS 2/2 infectious process is sepsis.

    Thanks!

    Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
    Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
    AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
    Flagstaff Medical Center
    Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
    Cell: 928.814.9404


  • Okay I ran it and then you just end up with the infection. Interesting. So you Have to ask it if they say sirs with pneumonia? If that's been an obvious message in training I missed that!! I'll have to watch charts closer for that I think I'd just have gone there based on what I knew from Icd 9. Thanks!

    Ann


    >
  • Currently in I-10, the term SIRS is classified solely as associated with Non-Infectious Source. If am MD responds a pt has 'SIRS 2/2 UTI', there is not code for the SIRS, and we can no longer assign this to a form of SEPSIS.







    Fundamental change in I-10.







    [cid:image001.png@01D11D2B.BB562800]



    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS



    Manager, Regional Clinical Documentation & Coding Integrity

    Sutter West Bay

    633 Folsom St., 7th Floor, Office 7-044

    San Francisco, CA 94107

    Cell: 415.412.9421



    evanspx@sutterhealth.org









  • Ann: Asking for "SIRS" w/ PNA will not be particularly helpful in I-10 given the term SIRS w/ PNA no longer codes to Sepsis. See the Guidelines I just sent? In a hurry now, but, if pt meets criteria for SEPSIS, we'd need to query for SEPSIS.



    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS
  • [cid:image002.png@01D11D2D.36D9EB00]

    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS

    Manager, Regional Clinical Documentation & Coding Integrity
    Sutter West Bay
    633 Folsom St., 7th Floor, Office 7-044
    San Francisco, CA 94107
    Cell: 415.412.9421

    evanspx@sutterhealth.org

  • Hi

    I don't think I would ask that. What I think I'm taking away here is IF THE DOC states SIRS WITH PNA - I'd have to query with or without sepsis.

    I think I get the non-infectious part and the no urosepsis code but the above is new to me. To NEED to query the distinction in I-10... Hope I'm explaining(and getting!) the nuances!

    Thanks!
    Ann
  • You've got it :)
    Whereas SIRS 2/2 PNA was coded as sepsis in I-9, it would now be coded as PNA in I-10. You need to query for sepsis if the provider documents SIRS 2/2 any infectious process in order to accurately capture the patients clinical presentation.

    Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
    Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
    AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
    Flagstaff Medical Center
    Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
    Cell: 928.814.9404


  • In 3M, and for coding if you have SIRS, you can have "SIRS due to infection WITHOUT sepsis" . In I-9 SIRS w infection automatically defaulted to Sepsis. However in I-10 SIRS with an infection does not automatically default to sepsis...., just codes to the localized infection.....
    As our providers always tell us, you can have SIRS without sepsis and still have an infection. We worked long and hard with providers on this and it begs the question;
    "are all patients with 2 or more SIRS criteria septic?"
    "can a patient be septic without having 2 SIRS criteria?"

    Our providers often document "SIRS due to UTI/PNA etc (infection) WITHOUT sepsis", (and they had many long and hard discussions about making sure the query asked those questions). For OUR institution-this is what works for us and what was desired.

    ANN-and yes, that is what I am eluding to-if the provider documents SIRS with PNA (especially if they have clinical criteria for SIRS) I query for SEPSIS. :)

    Juli


  • Yes: If SIRS w/ PNA stated, a query is now required to confirm the Sepsis (or lack of sepsis, if query properly constructed).


    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS
  • edited March 2016
    Good for you, Katy! 95% of patients seen in EDs with an infection and 2 of the 4 SIRS criteria go home on oral antibiotics. Acute otitis media kids go home on amoxicillin. 14 year olds get their appendixes out and go home in 24 hours. You should NOT ask for sepsis if the patient obviously doesn't have it. Way to go!

    Robert S. Gold, MD
    CEO, DCBA, Inc
    4611 Brierwood Place
    Atlanta, GA 30360
    (770) 216-9691 (Office)
    (404) 580-0204 (Cell)

  • edited March 2016
    http://survivingsepsis.org/Pages/default.aspx


    Deanne Wilk, BSN, RN, CCDS, CCS
    AHIMA approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer

    Clinical Documentation Improvement and Inpatient Coding Manager
    HIMS Department
    Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital
    4th & Walnut Sts
    Lebanon, PA 17042
    dwilk@gshleb.org

    Phone: 717-270-7582
    Cell: 717-580-1436




  • Please let me clarify-we DO NOT ask for sepsis just because the provider documents SIRS with infection. We carefully review for clinical indicators, treatment, sepsis pathways, sepsis screen, lactic acid levels, etc. On the flip side, if they do have recognized clinical indicators and are documenting "SIRS with infection (UTI, PNA etc)..the coders nor I can diagnose the patient (nor do the providers want us too). So, yes we would ask the provider to clarify if there was sepsis-especially if they don't document support for-or related to why any one of the criteria used for SIRS/sepsis is not associated with another process. (ie RR elevated due to COPD exacerbation etc)

    I realize many patients who come in with 2 or more SIRS indicators and an infection are not septic.

    I feel like I am coming across incorrectly or misunderstood.
    IT is always our best practice to make the chart complete for quality-not reimbursement or DRG driven. It is not my job to diagnose patients, but to help clarify ambiguous diagnoses from providers. SO, yes, if a patient comes in admitted with a UTI (few or no co-morbidities) and SIRS criteria and DIES- you bet that I am going to be looking FOR Sepsis. (and, yes this does happen here... and everywhere I am assuming).

    Juli

  • edited March 2016
    Thank you, Juli! It's gratifying to find folks who do it right for the right reasons. I can tell you STORIES!!!

    Robert S. Gold, MD
    CEO, DCBA, Inc
    4611 Brierwood Place
    Atlanta, GA 30360
    (770) 216-9691 (Office)
    (404) 580-0204 (Cell)


  • Interesting. I have never heard that you can truly have SIRS 2/2 infection and it not have sepsis. Our MD's have not brought this forward. You may have 'SIRS criteria' met with infection (half our patients come in with altered vital signs and some sort of infection, they are not all septic) and the provider may determine this is not Sepsis. I realize that just because you have tachycardia and tachypnea with a UTI, does not necessarily mean that the tachycardia and tachypnea are indicative of sepsis. There may be another reason clinically for the alteration in vital signs (this is why we query to clarify). But in my understanding this would also not be SIRS either because a systemic inflammatory response is not the cause of the altered vital signs. Both SIRS and Sepsis refer to a systemic inflammatory response. My understanding of the difference is what the underlying cause is. If the underlying cause is infectious, my hospital is defining this as sepsis.
    I would be very curious about the reference for SIRS 2/2 infection not being sepsis. We are currently in the process of creating our institutional definitions and Care Process Model regarding Sepsis in light of the new Sepsis Core Measure and (so far) this has not come up. The literature being used by my facility (surviving sepsis, UpToDate, etc) seems to support SIRS with infectious source as being sepsis. I would love to bring that alternative source forward if possible.

    Anyways, I feel like I am talking in circles and I apologize for that. I learn something new every day....


    Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
    Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
    AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
    Flagstaff Medical Center
    Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
    Cell: 928.814.9404


  • I agree with you Juli, we also are looking for those supporting clinical indicators. For the purpose of this conversation I have been assuming that the clinical indicators are truly there to support the dx, otherwise we would be looking at an entirely separate issue.
    Also, if we are following the 'best-practice' ACDIS guidelines, our query is not suggesting any particular response. We are solely recognizing an area requiring clarification, not suggesting that a particular dx be made. If a patient with a UTI is being admitted as an Inpatient (most patients with UTI/PNA/Etc can be treated as an outpatient), with elevated WBC's, fever, and tachycardia and SIRS 2/2 UTI is documented (or if just the UTI was documented) I believe a query for sepsis is indicated. There is definitely a possibility that the provider who is face-to-face with the patient, with knowledge of their medical history, and credentials as a diagnostician may determine that this is not sepsis but rather is simply a UTI. It is their job to diagnose. But I consider it my job to ask the question.

    Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
    Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
    AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
    Flagstaff Medical Center
    Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
    Cell: 928.814.9404


  • Juli,

    The subject did clarify something for me. My intent was not pulling a trick it was understanding the change in a needed query in ICD 10.

    Thanks.
    Ann


    >
  • I don't think any of us are trying to 'game the system' or o/w act in a manner not entirely consistent with Best Practice. However, the language around this issue can be tricky. Also, the change in coding logic from I-9 to I-10 means we all need to examine the technical issues around coding (again).



    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS
  • Ann and all....

    No implications intended that anyone was trying to pull a trick, game etc. I know we are all in the same quandaries and all on the same team (so to speak). This site is helpful to us all.... :)

    Juli

  • I have been on the Sepsis committee for several years as we have had our own organizational Sepsis project to reduce mortality from Sepsis. You have to understand that the Medical staff here felt that the new Sepsis core measure cast a much wider net for the diagnosis of Sepsis but CMS set the core measure and expected quality of treatment as it is delineated by them. It does not mean that the physicians agree with it. We all receive out reimbursement from Medicare and the Core measure is one way for CMS to determine the quality of care expected by our major payer-Medicare. It is what it is. Our query is based on that core measure.

    Mary L Snook RN-BC
    Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
    Fairfield Medical Center
    Lancaster, Ohio 43130
    740-689-4443
    snook@fmchealth.org

  • We too have a Sepsis committee and Sepsis coordinator with whom we work and it is INTERESTING for the CDI... With the new measures and criteria related to this diagnosis (LA >4) .... we now query more for "what are your clinical indicators to support the diagnosis of Sepsis from the recognized criteria"...... we call it an "anti-query".

    Many providers are now documenting sepsis/ severe sepsis JUST and solely because of a LA > 4, with no other clinical criteria for SIRS/SEPSIS. (with infection).

    Job security!!!!!!

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