Wiki What is meant by "thorough" for a limited ultrasound

[LOSMAS222]

In CPT Assistant May 2009 pg 7 it states that “for an ultrasound study to be separately reported, there must be a thorough evaluation of organs or anatomic region”. What is considered a thorough evaluation in a limited ultrasound for an Emergency Room Physician? Please give an example of both a complete and limited “thorough” evaluation of an ultrasound. Thank you for your assistance.

Heather Greene

 

[ajs]

I believe what is actually meant here is that there must be an appropriate evaluation of the organ structures related to the problem AND there must be a written interpretation and report in order to separately report an ultrasound.

The problem generally lies in the fact that the physician does not do a separate report with the interpretation of the results of the ultrasound.

It isn't so much how thorough the exam is, as much as it is about making sure all appropriate structures related to the problem in that organ system are documented and that there is a separate written report.