In this diagnostic procedure, the provider performs a complete, or minimum of four views, radiological study of the chest using fluoroscopy. He performs this study for the assessment of conditions affecting the chest, its contents, and nearby structures.
Clinical Responsibility
X rays, or radiographs, involve using radiation to diagnose, manage, and treat diseases by examining specific body structures. The provider performs an X ray exam of the patient's chest with at least four views. The provider uses fluoroscopy and obtains different views of the chest by changing the orientation of the patient's body and direction of the X ray beams. The provider may perform anteroposterior, or front to back view, posteroanterior, or back to front view, lateral, or side to side view, or right and left oblique views, or views taken at approximately a 45 degree angle.
The patient may swallow contrast, during or before the exposure, depending upon the provider?s orders. Contrast medium helps improve the visibility of the internal structures. The provider takes different pictures through the X ray beams, and he uses fluoroscopy to view on a monitor the enhanced view of the structures. Additional views of the chest may be taken by the provider, such as decubitus, or lying on the side that can help detect fluid, lordotic that helps to visualize the apex of the lung, and expiratory, or after blowing breath out.
When the provider performs a complete, or minimum of four view, radiological examination of the chest without fluoroscopy, use code 71030, Radiologic examination, chest, complete, minimum of 4 views.
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