Re: skin ulcer

[RRS2000]

Just to clarify one point:  Although only pressure ulcers are staged when it comes to the standard of clinical practice, all ulcers that meet the definition for coding in M1 are staged for M1.  The definition of open lesions/sores is "skin ulcers that may develop because of circulatory problems, pressure, or in association with other diseases such as syphilis."  Thus, since stasis ulcers are ulcers that develop because of circulatory problems, stasis ulcers are staged for M1.

Rena

Subj: Re: skin ulcer
Date: 12/23/03 7:28:48 PM Pacific Standard Time
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Is this a pressure ulcer or a stasis ulcer? Stasis ulcers are not staged. In this case, I would put a note in the medical record under the MDS tab, explaining the coding. This has kept surveyors from questioning and citing in my neck of the woods.

dawn P
 



Question for the group, I have a patient that has an ulcer on left lower leg and the MD has documented that it is a stage II, but it clearly has necrotic tissue almost throughout the entire ulcer.  Would I code it a stage IV even though the doc says stage II?
Michelle
 
Thank You.
 
Michelle Witges

Rena R. Shephard, MHA, RN, FACDONA, RAC-C
Chair, American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators
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