Documentation Tips: “Think in Ink”

By Dr. Robert Wagner, EVP, Physician Services, Ensemble Health Partners and Dr. Maria Johar, Physician Advisor, Ensemble Health Partners

Always ask yourself the right

questions and follow a process.
Accurate and complete documentation of medical
necessity is key for both the patient and your
organization. When done right, documentation leads
to a higher quality patient experience, improved
communication and sound clinical and financial
outcomes. We’re breaking down the most important
do’s and don’ts for documentation to ensure success
for you and your organization.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
unequivocally states the justification for admission
must be “clearly and completely” documented in the
medical record, putting us in the unique position to
incorporate complete medical evidence in the medical
record. We have the opportunity to explain in detail
why the expectation of the need for care in the inpatient
setting is appropriate in the context of that patient’s
acute condition.

Documentation should contain the history and
comorbidities to establish acuity in the context of the
current illness. Clearly define the severity of illness the
patient’s medical needs, the intensity of the services
rendered and the risk of adverse outcome, including
applicable evidence-based criteria. Including these
details helps the payor understand why the patient
requires the treatment ordered.

Think of the five W’s, and take it a step further:

Who? What? Why? When? Where? How? Because?

Document your concerns and ask yourself these questions:

  • What are you treating?
  • Why are you worried?
  • What is the risk of adverse outcome? What are
    you suspicious of?
  • Where should the patient receive this care? Can the
    patient go home or do they require hospitalization?
    Should the patient be Inpatient or Outpatient with
    Observation Services? Should the patient go to
    the floor or Intensive Care Unity (ICU)?
  • When does the patient need these services; now
    or can they be scheduled as Outpatient?
  • Why does this patient require hospitalization?
  • How should these services be delivered?

Patients presenting with signs and
symptoms that will require assessment
and reassessment before a final
diagnosis can be made should start
as Observation

  • Document assessments and reassessments as
    well as your plan.
  • Include your rationale and what additional testing
    will be done.
  • If you are going to change the patient to Inpatient,
    clearly detail why that patient requires additional
    care in the hospital and what that care will be.

Documentation Do’s and Don’ts

Follow these to ensure correct documentation of medical necessity:

Do’s Don’ts

Specify Severity and Intensity

Copy and Paste

Consider using the following words:
Monitor
Evaluate
Assess
Treat

Don’t write Admit to observation
(This means Inpatient)

Will observe overnight in the ICU
(This means Outpatient)

Patients admitted with diagnoses that are Signs and Symptoms usually start as Observation

Don’t write Admit for SNF placement

Patients admitted with diagnoses that are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality and/or require services of high intensity should start as Inpatient. Clearly document the care and associated risk

Don’t write Admit for Outpatient testing

Additional Documentation Tips

  • Illustrate what makes the patient so sick “Think in Ink”
    • Document the severity of illness and intensity of services that accurately describes the care you are rendering. What services can be given only at this level of care? For example: Neuro checks every 2hrs or IV antibiotics every 8 hours. Why IV? Why not oral?
  • State why the treatment plan is appropriate
    • Remember the key word “because”, even if you don’t specifically write it. Linking symptoms to the diagnosis, using the words “due to, secondary to, possible or suspected” will help clarify the picture.
  • Show details supporting your decision
    • Medical decision-making is complex, so write down all the facts that go into your plan. Denials occur due to lack of supporting documentation. For example: acute respiratory failure without supporting hypoxia, acute kidney injury without baseline creatinine.
  • Don’t copy and paste boilerplate statements
    • Repeatedly using the same justification for continued length of stay weakens your arguments. For example: no acute events overnight does not highlight why the patient still needs to be in the hospital.
  • Also write for the auditors

    • Preapproved Outpatient procedures should start in the status authorized by the payor to prevent denials and rework.
    • Be clear, concise and timely. Consultants and others on the care team need to know your plan.
  • Treat weekends just like weekdays

    • Weekend stays are just as costly as weekday stays. Reassess patients on an ongoing, daily basis and document why they require continued care in the hospital.

Remember to not leave the MEAT
out of your documentation.

What are you Monitoring?

What are you Evaluating?

What are you Assessing for safety and improvement?

What are you Treating?

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