Question

While the focus of inpatient data collection is on the principal diagnosis, the focus of outpatient data collection is on ___.

a) Secondary diagnoses
b) Primary procedure
c) Primary diagnosis
d) Patient demographics

Answer 1

Outpatient data collection is focused on the primary diagnosis, as this is the main issue being treated and managed in an outpatient setting.

Step-by-step explanation:

While inpatient data collection focuses on the principal diagnosis, the focus of outpatient data collection is primarily on the primary diagnosis. This is because outpatient care is typically centered on the treatment and management of a specific medical condition or issue that led the patient to seek care. Outpatient records emphasize the current condition rather than a comprehensive health history that might be more pertinent in an inpatient setting.