Awesome tips for Coding an ED report

As  a medical coder, I always wanted to learn all the coding facilities. The best thing I like about medical coding is that, you can learn everything here. The amount of knowledge you gain while coding a medical report is unbelievable. Initially people have difficulty in coding a medical report, but when they know everything about ICD and CPT coding guidelines, they become expert in coding. I always say that having CPC certification from AAPC and having experience in multiple speciality coding,  will always boost your career growth. I see coders who are perfect in surgery coding or only knows about diagnostic radiology, but I hardly see any coder who can code more than two or three specialties. So, we will just discuss about Emergency department (ED) physician side coding. I started learning this facility when I cleared my CPC exam. So, I would just share few tips for coding an ED report.

Awesome tips for Coding an ED report

Documentation given in ED Medical report

Chief Complaint

The first and most important part in ED medical report is the Chief Complaint (CC). Chief Complaint gives the information about the problem, for which patient has come to ED department. We can also call this CC as the Reason for Visit (ROS). Now, this CC helps us to know the exact diagnosis which made patient to visit ED department.

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History of Present Illness (HPI)

This is real a very important section in the ED medical report. HPI gives more information about the chief complaint. Also, it gives any other related diagnosis which are present along with CC in the past. Any other diagnosis present previous which is resolved or still present can be given in HPI section. In injury report, HPI plays av very important role in given the context about when and how the injury has happened. In ED chart, we have to report External code of Injury (E-codes) codes as well, which is generally coded from the HPI section.

Read also: How to verify CPC and ICD 10 credentials

Patient Medical and Social History

Patient Medical History (PMH) is very important. PMH is necessary for coding the chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease etc. such condition stays for life long and hence should be taken care. Suppose, a patient has diabetes and comes with an hemorrhage in ED department, special attention should be given to him because being diabetic his hemorrhage can cause more complications. Chronic conditions should be coded as secondary diagnosis along with primary diagnosis.

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Allergies

Allergies are also important section in ED coding. There may be patient who are having allergies to penicillin or any other drugs. Hence, we have separate code for allergies which gives more information about patient health.

Review of system (ROS)

This section includes review of all the system like gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory etc. of the patient. Each section is studied and its results is documented in the report.

Read also: Learn about the Root Operations used in ICD 10 PCS for Inpatient coders

Examination

This section includes the physical examination of the patient. It includes all the information about the pulse rate, body temperature, BP, respiration etc. these vital signs helps in giving for information about patient health status. Also, physical examination of each section of the body from head to extremity is done to find out any other diagnosis present in the patient body.

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Any diagnostic or surgery performed

During the examination, if the physician order to do any diagnostic exam or to perform a surgery it should be reported along with the ED CPT codes(99281-99285). We have to assign all the procedures order and performed while the patient was in ED department.

Final Diagnosis or Impression

This is the actual conclusion of the ED medical report. This will document what has the physician found finally after performing all the above procedures. The physician will document an disorder or disease present or any fracture for any injury report in this section.  Hence, coder should always use the primary or principal diagnosis from this section which will define the whole ED report. 

Read also: Superb guide about using of dummy placeholder ‘X’ in ICD 10 codes

Shortcut tips to code ED Medical report

To code a ED report, you should always focus on the primary or principal diagnosis. Primary diagnosis is always important. So, I always look at the final diagnosis or impression to check what has the physician finally found. Now, once you understand what is the main problem, then you can check the CC, HPI, PMH etc. to find related diagnosis. Do remember your admit diagnosis or Reason for visit ICD code should be related to the primary or principal diagnosis. 

Read also: Sample coded Medical coding charts for coders

Sample Coded Emergency Department or ED report

Chief Complaint: Abdominal Pain

Stated Complaint: ABD PAIN

Information Source: Family

Mode Of Arrival: Car

Home Medications:Home Medications

Allergies/Adverse Reactions:

Allergies

Allergy/AdvReac Type Severity Reaction Status Date / Time

History of Present Illness

               

Onset: 15 MIN

HPI:MOM STATES THAT CHILD WAS IN HIS ROOM WHEN HE BEGAN “SCREAMING” COMPLAINING OF ABD PAIN, MOM REPORTS PT WAS IN NL STATE OF HEALTH PRIOR TO SYMPTOMS STARTING. MOM STATES THAT CHILD CAME INTO KITCHEN TO GET JUICE, WENT BACK TO HIS ROOM, A FEW MINUTES LATER BEGAN SCREAMING AND ASKING TO GO TO THE DOCTOR. MOM DENIES RECENT ILLNESS, NO COUGH OR CONGESTION, NO FEVER OR CHILLS.

Pain Location: Reports: Diffuse

Pain Context: Reports: Spontaneous

Pain Severity: Severe

Pain Radiation: Reports: No Radiation

Adult Abdominal History: Denies: Abdominal Surgery, Urolithiasis, Bowel Obstruction, Similar Pain (dx)

Pediatric History: Denies: Abdominal Surgery, UTI, Prematurity, Intussusception, Cystic Fibrosis, NEC

Modifying Factors: improves with: Nothing

Associated Signs & Symptoms: Denies: Nausea, Frequency, Hematuria, Vomiting, Hematemesis, Anorexia, Diarrhea, Melena, Dysuria, Fever, Urgency, Chills

Oral Intake: Normal

Urinary Output: Normal

ED Past Medical History

– History Reviewed

Yes Nurses notes reviewed and agree except as marked

No Past Medical History: Yes Patient has no past medical history

Patient Medical History

Psychological History: Denies: Substance Use Disorder

Social Medical History

Social History: Denies: Substance Use Disorder

Lives With: Family

Lives In: Home

Pets in House: No

EDM Review of Systems

Review of Systems

Constitutional: negative: Chills, Fever

Eyes: negative: Blurred Vision, Double Vision

Ears: negative: Drainage, Pain

Throat: negative: Pain

Nose: negative: Congestion, Discharge

Respiratory: negative: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Wheezing

Cardiovascular: negative: Chest Pain, Palpitations

Gastrointestinal: Pain. negative: Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting

Genitourinary: negative: Frequency

Neurological: negative: Seizure

Musculoskeletal: No Symptoms Reported

Integumentary: No Symptoms Reported

 

Physical Exam

Oriented to: Person (ALERT AND ORIENTED FOR AGE, COOPERATIVE WITH EXAM, NO DISTRESS)

Last recorded Vital Signs:

Last Vital Signs

Temp 99.6 F 01/04/10 19:42

Pulse 141 H 01/04/10 19:42

Resp 24 01/04/10 19:42

BP

Pulse Ox 99 01/04/10 19:42

Oxygen

Pulse Oxygen Saturation 99

O2 Device Room Air

Oxygen Flow Rate

Fraction of Inspired Oxygen (FIO2)

HEENT

Head: Normal ( normocephalic)

Eye Exam: Normal (PERRL, EOMI, Sclera white)

Oropharynx: Normal (Pharynx:Moist without exudate,Gums-no swelling)

Tympanic Membrane: Normal

ENT EAC: Normal

TMJ: Normal

Nose: No Symptoms Reported (septum midline)

Neck: Normal (FROM, trachea at midline)

Respiratory/Cardiovascular

Respiratory: Normal – CTA (BBS clear to auscultation without adventitious sounds)

Cardiovascular: Normal (RRR without murmur, gallop or rub)

GI

Auscultation: Normal (NABS)

Tenderness: Diffuse, Mild. negative: Guarding, Rebound, Rigidity

Murphy’s Sign: Negative

– Musculoskeletal

Back: Normal (Non-Tender)

Extremities: Normal (Normal tone, Pulses 2+ No cyanosis or edema, FROM)

Integumentary

Skin: Normal, Warm, Dry

Lymphatics: Normal (no adenopathy)

– Neurologic

Mood Description: Normal

– Differential Diagnosis

Bowel Obstruction, Constipation, IBS

– Re-evaluation

Re-evaluation 1

Re-evaluation: (SMILING, ACTIVE, PLAYFUL, ABD EXAM REMAINS BENIGN, NO DISTRESS)

Diagnostic Imaging

AAS

Image interpreted by: Radiologist

DG ABDOMEN ACUTE W/ 1V CHEST

COMPARISON: None.

FINDINGS:

No evidence of dilated bowel loops. A moderate to large amount of

stool seen throughout the majority the colon. No radiopaque calculi

identified. No evidence of abnormal mass effect.

IMPRESSION:

No acute findings.

Moderate to large stool burden noted.

Departure

Disposition: Home

Condition: Good

Final Diagnosis:

Abdominal pain, Constipation

ICD-10

Admit dx:R10.9

Final dx :K59.00, R10.9

CPT: 74022, 99283

 

2 Thoughts to “Awesome tips for Coding an ED report”

  1. carmen cruz

    Ok, I am new code for Ed coding with very little training- transitioned over from outpatient surgery. My question is do you always have to put the diagnosis as the provide puts in for example CC R10.9 and Dx is R10.9 k59.00. I would put it as code first as you have in your example is that correct to do..also flu symptoms CC; Fever..Dx R50.9 , J101- shouldn’t the flu be primary?

    1. Code the most severe diagnosis as primary diagnosis.. If symptoms r related to severe diagnosis then don’t code them

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