Wiki Diagnosis on Physician Orders

[sharonocchi]

If order is written for x-ray right leg can the diagnosis say "leg pain" or does it have to specify which leg? Thanks.

 

[sbicknell]

The order is ok as he has written for the DX. It states what he wants and why. Stating right leg pain would not change the DX code. But there is a difference in DX code between leg pain, or stiffness or leg joint pain and sometimes Docs just lump everything to pain

The issue would be him stating more info on what leg xray he is wanting unless there is some standard protocol that the Rad tech knows if upper or lower leg, etc. There seems to be lots of possiblities

73550 X-ray exam of thigh
73560 X-ray exam of knee, 1 or 2
73562 X-ray exam of knee, 3
73564 X-ray exam, knee, 4 or more
73565 X-ray exam of knees
73580 Contrast x-ray of knee joint
73590 X-ray exam of lower leg

 

[sharonocchi]

Thanks