Ask Proactive – When completing an MDS, how do we know which diagnosis should be coded as the primary diagnosis for a resident with multiple conditions (for example, CHF, diabetes, and pressure ulcer)?

Q: When completing an MDS, how do we know which diagnosis should be coded as the primary diagnosis for a resident with multiple conditions (for example, CHF, diabetes, and pressure ulcer)?   A: This question comes up often in SNFs. The primary diagnosis should be...

Ask Proactive – A resident was admitted with a diagnosis of acute on chronic respiratory failure requiring a new tracheostomy. The trach was placed during the hospital stay and the resident continues to require suctioning, respiratory monitoring, and oxygen therapy here in the SNF. Would we use the respiratory failure or presence of tracheostomy as the primary diagnosis?

Q: A resident was admitted with a diagnosis of acute on chronic respiratory failure requiring a new tracheostomy. The trach was placed during the hospital stay and the resident continues to require suctioning, respiratory monitoring, and oxygen therapy here in the...