tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2012 Issue 4

Reader Question: Don't drop the signature baton in handing off a patient at change of shift

Question: When an emergency physician turns an incomplete patient encounter over to a partner due to a shift change, does the physician turning over the patient need to make a note stating something like, "patient turned over to Dr. X at change of shift. She will continue care and make final disposition"? Or does the second doctor just have to sign behind the first?Michigan SubscriberAnswer: There is no foolproof, ultimate guideline about what to do in this situation -- it's entirely an internal group decision. Although some practices prefer to have the first doctor sign it, and others...

To read the full article, sign in and subscribe to tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert.

Thank you for choosing Find-A-Code, please Sign In to remove ads.