A patient was treated for a cold in November. The patient was diagnosed with acute sinusitis. Four weeks later (in December), the patient comes back to see the same physician with the same symptoms. The December documentation states "had sinusitis 4 weeks ago, but it got better and then developed symptoms again" She is again diagnosed with acute sinusitis.
Technically, she is being treated for the same diagnosis as her November visit, but should the December visit diagnosis be considered a new problem because it's a new onset of an acute problem?
I'm leaning more towards new problem, but I wanted to see what others thought.
If you have any reliable literature regarding this issue, please send that along with your feedback.
Thanks
Technically, she is being treated for the same diagnosis as her November visit, but should the December visit diagnosis be considered a new problem because it's a new onset of an acute problem?
I'm leaning more towards new problem, but I wanted to see what others thought.
If you have any reliable literature regarding this issue, please send that along with your feedback.
Thanks