Wiki Critical care time question

[jgryder@rocketmail.com]

I know that time should be documented when rendering critical care - however, does it specifically have to say "critical care time rendered" or "CCT = 45 minutes". I have a physician that will write the time on the progress notes of the patient hospital chart or will write the start and end times on the note but does not always say specifically that time is "critical care time" although the diagnosis and services back up critical care.

 

[FTessaBartels]

Best Practice

Best Practice is to specify what type of service is represented by that time. There are several situations in which time has to be recorded - discharge day management, critical care, other E/M based on counseling/coordination of care.

Our physician are instructed to specify "Time Spent in providing face-to-face critical care: xxx minutes"

Hope that helps.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC