Re: ICD9 code reques for therapy

[Delores234]

780.99=Other general symptoms
Chill(s) NOS, Generalized pain, Hypothermia, not associated with low environmental temperature

What is ADL dysfunction anyway?  I am a klutz, I drop things all the time, is that ADL dysfunction?  I would be very careful using a code that indicates generalized pain without a pain management program and evaluation/TX of the cause.  What is the underlying cause of the pain?  I could go on and on but I am too busy today to rag on therapists.
It is their field of expertise, they should be able to identify the functional problem when they evaluate, they should be documenting the underlying cause of the residents inability to perform ADLs independently, they should be calling the physician, discussing the evaluation and verifying the diagnoses, And documenting that diagnosis in the treatment orders.

Guess I wasn't that busy; it is just that I am weary of seeing "rubber stamp" diagnoses and therapy orders. 

Delores

What is the correct code for ADL dysfunction? They have been using 780.99 at the new facility and I don't feel this is correct.

Delores L. Galias, RN, RHIT

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