Coding for Malnutrition in the Hospital: Does It Change Reimbursement?

Nutr Clin Pract

Morrison Healthcare, Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Published: December 2019

Protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) is prevalent in the acute care setting, affecting up to 50% of hospitalized patients. PCM is associated with poor outcomes, including increased hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, hospital readmission rates, incidence of pressure injuries and nosocomial infections, and mortality. PCM is a financial burden on the healthcare system through direct costs related to treatment as well as indirect costs related to poorer outcomes and complications. Medical coding for malnutrition after a patient's hospital stay is poorly representative of the actual prevalence of malnutrition, as only a small percentage of these hospital stays are coded for PCM. Improvements in identification and coding of malnutrition can result in significant increases in hospital reimbursement, which can in part help defray increased costs associated with the condition.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ncp.10426DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

coding malnutrition
12
hospital
6
malnutrition hospital
4
hospital change
4
change reimbursement?
4
reimbursement? protein
4
protein calorie
4
malnutrition
4
calorie malnutrition
4
pcm
4

Similar Publications

The purpose of this study is to (1) estimate and compare the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children (age 0 to ≤21) with versus without cystic fibrosis (CF); (2) investigate putative associations between specific gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations and the development of VTE among children with CF. This was a multicenter case-control analysis among patients aged 0 to ≤ 21 years between 2010 and 2020, using the TriNetX Research Network. Data queries included ICD-9/10 (International Classification of Diseases-9th/10th Revision) diagnosis codes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Call to Improve Coding of Cancer-Associated Cachexia.

JCO Oncol Pract

January 2025

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY.

Cachexia is a systemic wasting syndrome prevalent in patients with cancer that significantly affects quality of life, health care costs, and therapeutic outcomes. Despite its clinical importance, cachexia is rarely formally diagnosed. This deficiency presents a challenge for effective patient management and care, health care resource allocation, and the advancement of therapeutic approaches.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Undernutrition in children is predominantly linked to lack of a balanced diet resulting from inadequate nutrition intake. This form of malnutrition remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality under-five children, especially prevalent in low-income countries. Understanding the specific factors contributing to undernutrition among this group, particularly those associated with caregivers, is vital yet insufficiently explored.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Hypoalbuminemia, blanketly defined as Albumin < 3.5 g/dL, is often utilized as a threshold associated with postoperative complications and mortality among orthopedic and non-orthopedic surgical procedures. Albumin level is influenced by a myriad of factors including liver function, malnutrition, and inflammation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/objectives: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of hospitalisations worldwide. Micronutrient deficiencies may influence CAP risk and severity, but their impact on CAP outcomes remains unclear. This study investigated the influence of multivitamin use on hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, in-hospital mortality, and 30-day readmissions in hospitalised CAP patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!