Go Back   AAPC Medical Coding & Billing Forums > Medical Coding > EMR/EHR Systems

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 07-25-2012, 01:15 PM
KathieG KathieG is offline
New
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2
KathieG is on a distinguished road
Default Physician vs. nurse documentation

How will an EHR show the distinction between the data collected by a nurse and the data gathered by the provider? Currently, if the provider wants to include information from the nurse note, the provider has to state what was reviewed in the nurse note and indicate whether they concur or disagree - and their basis for doing so. Will an EHR make it more difficult to determine the codeable/billable elements of a patient visit? I work in primary care with multiple clinics. How will we know we are coding only the correct elements?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-25-2012, 05:45 PM
rthames052006's Avatar
rthames052006 rthames052006 is offline
True Blue
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: York, Pa
Posts: 1,700
rthames052006 will become famous soon enough
Default

I'm no expert on EMR but I can say with our EMR ( Allscripts) there is an audit trail that we can view to know who documented what portions of the note. You may want to find out what EMR you'll be using in your clinic's and what type of "trail" you'll be able to find.

Currently when I'm auditing records 9 times out of 10 the "reason for visit" is the area the MA/nurse documents and the provider documents the cc and the History of present illness section. From time to time, I will find the the doc has documented in the reason for visit area and not the MA/nurse, then I can give credit for any information that is documented in that area when I am auditing the note.

I find ( in my experiences) that the MA/nurse documents very well in the reason for visit area, sometimes better than the HPI area that the physician is documenting. I get more info from the MA but I know I can't use it because it's documented by the MA/nurse.

Just my two cents on the EMR we have
__________________
Roxanne Thames, CPC, CEMC
AAPCCA Board of Directors 2012-2015
Region 1- ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY

Past President 2011, 2012 York, PA Chapter
Past President Elect 2010 York, Pa Chapter
Roxanne.Thames@aapcca.org
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-27-2012, 08:51 AM
Donna T Donna T is offline
Guru
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 114
Donna T is on a distinguished road
Default

I think it depends on your EMR. The one I used at my last job (NextGen) listed the nurse/MA note first with a signature and then the physician note started directly underneath it. Also, as Roxanne stated, the EMR leaves a great "trail" of who did what that you can always refer to. Good luck!

Donna
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-23-2012, 07:55 AM
melonie_lockard@yahoo.com melonie_lockard@yahoo.com is offline
Contributor
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 11
melonie_lockard@yahoo.com is on a distinguished road
Default

Hi, I have a question that maybe you can help me with. I am the only coder for a primary care facility. I have a couple of my doctors that are letting their nurses do the HPI. I have told them they cannot do this. I recently went back and asked one of my physicians to go back and sign off on it and the physician stated " it is signed with the office note". We work out of Allscripts EHR and at the end of the note the doctors signature is on there. My question is will that count or does the physician still need to go back and add a addedum signature to the HPI? I would appreciate any help. Thanks:-)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off




Disclaimer: Although AAPC staff members will monitor these forums periodically, we cannot be responsible for the information posted herein, nor guarantee its accuracy. Our members may discuss various subjects related to medical coding, but none of the information should replace the independent judgment of a physician for any given health issue. Please note that the opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of AAPC.

All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:00 AM.

AAPC - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2011, AAPCAd Management plugin by RedTyger