How does standardization improve efficiency with coding?
Standardization improves coding efficiency by ensuring that clinical
terminologies have the same meaning across different systems. Using
code sets and classification systems such as ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPS,
RxNorm, LOINC, etc; helps avoid ambiguity that can cause
misinterpretations and errors in coding (Data Standards in
Healthcare, 2020).
How is this different with inpatient versus outpatient coding?
There are three different ways that outpatient coding differs from
inpatient coding:
1. "The definition of principal diagnosis
2. The coding of inconclusive diagnoses
3. Reporting from diagnostic test results (x-rays, pathology, etc.)"
(Jurek & Mosay, 2017).
References
AltexSoft. (2020, October 23). Data Standards in Healthcare: Codes,
documents, and exchange formats. AltexSoft. Retrieved January 21,
2022, from https://www.altexsoft.com/blog/data-standards-
healthcare/
Jurek, J., & Mosay, S. (2017). Conquer medical coding 2018 : A critical
thinking approach with coding simulations. F. A. Davis Company.
