If even one of the requirements is missing - for example, if the resident is no longer symptomatic but is still receiving antibiotics supported by significant laboratory findings and with a physician-written diagnosis - it would not be coded on the MDS.
Now that I have the above explanation, the section of the DAVE education on CMSinternetstreaming about the diagnosis of pneumonia being a trigger if it is on the 5 day and the 14 day assessments makes sense.
I am still not sure why, if you still have to monitor for potential untoward effects of the antibiotic, which may not occur until after the third or fourth day, the diagnosis would not be coded. Even if the resident is asymptomatic, the impact on the plan of care and caring for the resident continues until the resident is deemed clear of infection. And what if the UTI was VRE or ESBL? If the infection control plan is maintained in the absence of symptoms due to the potential for spread of infection, would the diagnosis be coded?
thanks for answering another question on the same subject
darlene
