Wiki Dx Order

[kyannekis]

If a patient comes in with shortness of breath and the provider diagnoses COPD exacerbation and Influenza A (documentation doesn't reflect that the influenza A caused the COPD exacerbation) which would you code first?

Thank you

 

[Chelle-Lynn]

It would depend. Don't you always love that answer? Here is the breakdown:

* The selection of the primary diagnosis will depend on the circumstances
* If one diagnosis is clearly documented as the primary reason for treatment then code that one first.
* If both conditions are equally responsible for the reason for care or admission then there are no specific guidelines then either dx can be listed first.

For COPD and influenza both codes can be listed and sequenced as noted above.