Wiki additional workup

[Valerie71]

In the ED department what would you consider new problem with additional workup?
CT,MRI,U/S with Labs?
Thanks,

 

[OCD_coder]

By definition, additional workup is met when diagnostics are performed after the encounter with the patient. But the ED point of service is a little different because it is inappropriate and not expected that follow-up will occur with the patient. ED is an Acute service so we have to consider diagnostics performed at the time of service to determine the treatment plan at that moment.

I have worked for several ED companies and they all had a protocol that when 2 or more diagnostics or the patient was admitted were considered as additional workup for credit. Because we cannot apply the "normal" rules for ED as then our providers would never achieve a level 5 E&M and since there is no time component available as an option.