Wiki Social History Clarification

[LindsayC]

I am auditing a few charts for 2 providers and they have been using "Tobacco-Never Smokes" in the Social History.

Does this qualify?

I'm just thinking because they don't, it isn't really relevant to their actual social history. Something more in depth like lives at home alone or lives with wife and 2 kids, etc.

Also, they used it on a 2 year old Well child check. Would I be justified in stating it isn't relevant to the patients age? I don't think smoking is remotely relevant to a 2 year old's social history.

Thanks in advance,

Lindsay C, CPC, CEMC

 

[mssalemny]

Whether a patient smokes or not is a relevant social history element and can be counted as such. With regards to a 2 year old, I agree, however, a more relevant question would be if the 2 year old loves with smokers. This could be relevant for second hand smoke issues.

 

[LindsayC]

Thanks!