Wiki diagnosis sequencing

[smdumpert]

What would you suggest? Patient admitted to the inpatient gero-psych unit because the patient was fighting with other residents in the nursing home. When the inpatient doctor sees the patient, he gives a dx of Behavioral Disturbance and Dementia with Lewey Bodies.

How would you list them? ICD-9 states the dementia has to be 1st and behavioral disturbance is 2nd. But the doctor was actually addressing the behavioral disturbance.

Any suggestions?

 

[mitchellde]

because the behavioral disturbance is a manifestation of the dementia you must sequence the dementia first.

 

[smdumpert]

Thanks, that's what we've been doing. Just had to check....