Question

Inpatients who undergo open reduction and internal fixation of a fractured femur are routinely coded with blood loss anemia because of a policy that specifies that this should be done when there is intraoperative blood loss of 500 cc or more documented in the operative report and the patient has a low hemoglobin. Why is this correct or incorrect?

Answer 1

The coding policy that specifies inpatients who undergo open reduction and internal fixation of a fractured femur should be coded with blood loss anemia is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The coding policy that specifies inpatients who undergo open reduction and internal fixation of a fractured femur should be coded with blood loss anemia is correct. This policy is based on the fact that open reduction surgeries for femur fractures often result in significant blood loss, which can lead to a drop in hemoglobin levels. The threshold for coding blood loss anemia is typically set at 500 cc or more of intraoperative blood loss documented in the operative report. By coding for blood loss anemia, healthcare professionals can accurately capture and document the extent of blood loss during the procedure.