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BC Advantage - 2011 Issue 10

Understanding Principal Diagnosis Selection

Inpatient coders often struggle with principal diagnosis selection. A clear understanding of the definition of principal diagnosis and the factors that play into principal diagnosis selection is extremely important, although oftentimes confusing. The definition of principal diagnosis is the diagnosis that is established after study to be the chief reason for the patient's inpatient stay. The circumstances of the patient's admission into the hospital always govern the selection of principal diagnosis (scope of care, diagnostic workup and the therapy provided). However, the coding conventions/guidelines for ICD-9-CM or AHA Coding Clinic for ICD-9-CM may often provide guidance on principal diagnosis...

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