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A 55-year-old male was transferred to a nursing home for continuing care due to being placed on mechanical ventilation following complications of cardiac bypass surgery. He was readmitted three weeks later due to ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) due to pseudomonas aeruginosa. How should this be coded?

User Lommaj
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Final answer:

Coding for a patient with ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa would involve specifying both the complication due to mechanical ventilation and the organism causing the infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The coding for a 55-year-old male patient who was readmitted to a nursing home with ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa would involve several steps. The primary diagnosis for coding would be VAP due to mechanical ventilation as a complication post-cardiac surgery. Additionally, the specific organism causing the infection, in this case, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, should be noted. Complications arising from mechanical ventilation and hospital-acquired infections often require specific codes that reflect the nature of the complication and the pathogens involved. Since coding guidelines and codes themselves can vary by region and over time, it is essential to consult the most recent version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) or other relevant coding systems used in the patient's location to ensure accurate coding.

User DraganB
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