Final answer:
The physician index in a healthcare facility includes demographic, financial, and medical information stored in a computer system. When creating health record policies, one must consider treatment costs, patient quality of life, and privacy risks. ICD codes are crucial in healthcare management, found in medical records and death certificates.
Step-by-step explanation:
- Elements Included in a Physician Index
The question pertains to the typical elements that are entered into a physician index in a medical facility. Such elements include demographic information such as age, ethnicity, gender, and zip code; financial information like third-party payer type and total charges; and medical information which covers a broad range of data including the attending physician, medical service classification, disease and/or procedure/service codes, dates of surgery, and types of anesthesia.
The physician index resides on a computer system and functions as a database containing patient identification data of those who have received healthcare services from a facility. This information system is crucial for maintaining organized and accessible medical records while ensuring efficient healthcare delivery and billing processes.
When developing policies related to health records, there are several concerns that must be addressed. These include assessing the balance between the costs of treatments and diagnoses, patient quality of life, and the risks to individual privacy. Additionally, legal considerations, such as those involving the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), must be taken into account to protect patient information.
- Importance of ICD Codes
ICD codes play a significant role in healthcare management. These codes are used by a wide range of healthcare professionals, from clinicians and medical coders to vital-records keepers and epidemiologists. They help in ordering appropriate laboratory tests, performing medical billing processes, and calculating morbidity and mortality statistics. ICD codes are often found in medical records and death certificates, making them key to the operation of the healthcare system.