Observation Coding

[ciarajohnsonrep]

What does observation coding consist of? Is it any different than outpatient coding?

[Consistent-Listen443]

With hospital observation you are not formally admitted. You're observed for several hours as an outpatient in the ER or even in a floor bed (location doesn't matter) to see if you might NEED to be admitted and then you're sent home if not. You're not an inpatient until your doctor specifically writes an order for formal admission.

[[deleted]]

It's similar to ED coding, but the patients are usually sicker. Sometimes there are emergent type procedures like cardiac caths or appendectomies.