Question

Jameson is calculating the MS-DRG for an inpatient admission. He is determining if the encounter is medical or surgical. Which of the following should he do?

a) Evaluate the patient's age
b) Examine the principal diagnosis
c) Check the provider's specialty
d) Count the number of procedures performed

Answer 1

To determine if an encounter is medical or surgical for the purpose of calculating the MS-DRG, Jameson should examine the principal diagnosis of the patient. Other factors such as age, provider's specialty, and number of procedures performed may also be considered.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine if an encounter is medical or surgical for the purpose of calculating the MS-DRG, Jameson should examine the principal diagnosis of the patient. The principal diagnosis is the main reason for the patient's admission and plays a crucial role in classifying the encounter. Other factors such as the patient's age, provider's specialty, and the number of procedures performed may also be taken into consideration in further classifying the MS-DRG.

For example, if the principal diagnosis is a disease or condition that typically requires surgical intervention, then the encounter would be classified as surgical. On the other hand, if the principal diagnosis is a medical condition that is managed through non-surgical means such as medication or therapy, then the encounter would be classified as medical.