Publications by authors named "P Huchzermeier"
Background: Precise coding is an essential requirement in order to generate a valid DRG. The aim of our study was to evaluate the quality of the initial coding of surgical procedures, as well as to introduce our "hybrid model" of a surgical specialist supervising medical coding and a nonphysician for case auditing.
Materials And Methods: The department's DRG responsible physician as a surgical specialist has profound knowledge both in surgery and in DRG coding.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluates the "preoperative stay" quality indicator for proximal femoral fractures, allowing a maximum of 15% of surgeries to occur more than 48 hours after patient admission.
- Over a five-year period, 165 out of 1,036 patients (16%) had delayed surgeries due to reasons like poor health, consent issues, and diagnostic errors.
- The findings suggest that the quality indicator should be analyzed more critically, distinguishing between administrative delays and patient-related factors, especially for fall-related fractures.