tvbrew21
Contributor
if a pt has sx and they keep her overnight for observation and its less than 24 hours do we code it as inpatient or outpatient? I'm thinking outpatient but want to make sure.
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Wiki impatient or outpatient?
- Thread starter tvbrew21
- Start date
Pam Warren
True Blue
It's probably outpatient, but you should always code based on the patients admission status at the hospital, not what you think it might be based on her symptoms.
MnTwins29
True Blue
Check the admission order by the physician - if it's just "admitted" - it should be coded as an inpatient. In order to be classified as observation, the order should clearly state that the patient is being placed in observation status.