be reused for efficiency and comparability. Use of LOINC terms
enables interoperability for evidence-based assessment instruments and helps advance research in a variety of specialty areas,
including psychiatry, psychology, geriatrics, rehabilitation and
many others.
The answer sets could be
represented by any terminology
or classification system.
The figure on page 45 illustrates the structure of a clinical
LOINC term and how the six different axes used in a LOINC
term are used to model document names, survey questions,
and utilization counts. This information is available on LOINC’s
Web site. This code (57206-5) represents overall patient status in
the OASIS-C assessment instrument used in home healthcare
reporting.
Another portion of the OASIS assessment reviews the status
of pressure ulcers. A specific LOINC code and term represent
the stage of the most problematic pressure ulcer (57231-3, Stage
of most problematic pressure ulcer: Find: Pt:^Patient: Ord: OA-
SIS-C). This particular OASIS question limits the answers to four
possible choices. The answer sets are represented within the
LOINC database with an alphanumeric code starting with “LA.”
The answer sets, which are specific to any given LOINC term,
could be represented by any possible terminology or classifi-
cation system as required by the assessment instrument, such
as SNOMED CT, ICD-9-CM, or ICD-10-CM/PCS. This enables
the reuse of codes that are already present within an encoded
EHR. For example, a stage- 1 pressure ulcer in SNOMED CT is
421076008 with a fully specified name of “pressure ulcer stage
1 (disorder).”
The MDS, used by CMS for reporting patient assessments
within nursing homes, is another example of LOINC’s versatil-
ity. For example, a section in the MDS version 3 form assesses
communication ability and designates the patient’s ability to
understand others. The question in this case is “What is the pa-
tient’s ability to understand others?” The corresponding LOINC
code is 54602-8.
FY12 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis and
Procedure Code Update
September 9, 2011
12:00p.m. – 1: 45 p.m. CT
Featured Speakers are AHA Central Office staff involved in
the development of the Coding Clinic FY12 code update
with the ICD-9-CM Cooperating Parties
AHA Coding Clinic Audio Conference Series
Presented by AHA Central Office — the official U.S. Clearinghouse on medical coding for the proper use of the ICD-9-CM classification
Objectives
• Get the latest information available on the new ICD-9-CM diagnosis
and procedure codes which become effective October 1, 2011
• Review updates to the Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
• Review practice clinical scenarios to enhance your understanding
of the new codes
The only official clearinghouse for information on the
proper use of ICD-9-CM codes, level I HCPCS (CPT- 4 codes)
for hospital providers and certain level II HCPCS codes for
hospitals, physicians and other health professionals
www.ahacentraloffice.org
