Wiki pneumonia

[NJcoder]

Hi- an inpatient patient had surgery...then 3 days later developed pneumonia...dr. did not write "postop pneumonia" so is it correct to just code 486? As of now, i did not query md. THANKS

 

[mstenochs]

I would request clarification from the physician. If it were me I would find out if it was HAP (hospital aquired pneumonia), postop or acute.