AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2013 Issue 4; Ask the Editor
Administration of tPA for Stroke Treatment Prior to Transfer
A patient was transferred to our facility due to acute cerebral infarction. At Hospital A, prior to transfer, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was administered intravenously into the peripheral vein. We have been advised that the tPA administration should not be reported at Hospital B. However, the infusion of tPA is still ongoing, during the transport, and upon arrival at our facility. Is it appropriate to assign the ICD-10-PCS procedure code 3E03317, at Hospital B? ...
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Article Overview
This premium article explains how to think about procedural reporting when thrombolytic treatment is initiated before transfer and continues after arrival at a receiving hospital. It is aimed at hospital coders, CDI staff, and compliance teams who need to understand whether a procedure should be reported at the receiving facility and how to interpret the scenario within ICD-10-PCS-based inpatient coding.
Why This Topic Matters
Transfer cases can create uncertainty about whether an ongoing therapy represents a reportable new procedure at the receiving hospital. Understanding the article helps coding staff apply inpatient procedure-reporting principles consistently in stroke-related transfer scenarios.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames coding questions for therapy that starts before transfer and continues after arrival.
- How transfer-related procedure reporting is discussed in the context of inpatient coding.
- What general considerations are raised for thrombolytic treatment in a receiving hospital scenario.
- How the article relates the scenario to ICD-10-PCS procedure reporting.
Who Should Read This
- Hospital inpatient coders
- Clinical documentation integrity specialists
- Coding auditors
- Compliance professionals
- Revenue cycle staff
Codes Discussed
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