Wiki Level Of Risk

[cierras]

Hello,
Burning question regarding level of risk in Optometry between a few auditors.
Lets say a patient with diabetes came in with retinal bleeding and could result in severe damage if it was not treated properly. Now this would include the patients PCP treating this as they deal with insulin, but if were to document that "patient has moderate risk of xxx" would that be enough to count as a "moderate risk" on the risk table? Also to mention- according to the PCP, patients A1C levels are acceptable.


We also brought up puckering of the macula. It was said based on the meds, and the age of the patient they could be at a moderate to high risk of vision loss. Again, if provider were to document that, can we use that? We are teetering on the line of "risk of condition" and "risk of treatment".

 

[Cheezum51]

I think your Risk would be based upon the classification of the diabetic retinopathy. If a patient has severe NPDR or PDR, then I would classify that as high risk of morbidity to the eyes. Below those levels would be moderate risk. The risk from the macular puckering could also be based upon how advanced that is. Many patients who have an ERM remain stable for many years. Others can progress to levels which have a significant risk of vision loss without treatment. You would need an OCT test to determine that.

Tom Cheezum, OD, CPC, COPC