ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
PREFACE
AMERICAN SOCIETY
OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS (ASA)/PHYSICAL STATUS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM;
CLASSIFICATION
OF FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY AND OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS WITH HEART DISEASE
ADMISSION
CRITERIA SETS
- General
- Blood
- Cardiovascular
- Central Nervous
System/Head
- Ear, Nose,
Throat
- Endocrine/Metabolic
- Eye
- Female Reproductive
- Gastrointestinal/Abdomen
- Male Reproductive
- Musculoskeletal/Spine
- Newborn/Premature
- Peripheral
Vascular
- Psychiatric
- Oncology
- Respiratory/Chest
- Skin/Connective
Tissue
- Urinary/Renal
System
- Physical Rehabilitation
GENERIC QUALITY
SCREENS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) would like to express its
gratitude to the Texas Medical Foundation (TMF) staff and physician reviewers, and
HHSC physician consultants, for their time and expertise in the development of the
screening criteria. The HHSC would also like to acknowledge the following Texas
Medical Societies for their contribution toward the criteria development:
American Association of Oromaxillofacial Surgeons, Texas Chapter
American College of Cardiology, Texas Chapter
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Texas Section
American College of Surgeons, North Texas Chapter
American College of Surgeons, South Texas Chapter
Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care
Renal Physicians of Texas
Society of Critical Care Medicine
Society of Vascular Surgeons
Texas Academy of Family Physicians
Texas Academy of Internal Medicine, the Texas Chapter of American
College of Physicians-American
Society of Internal Medicine
Texas Allergy and Immunology Society
Texas Association of Neurological Surgeons
Texas Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Texas Association of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
Texas Dermatological Society
Texas Division of International College of Surgeons
Texas Geriatric Society
Texas Infectious Disease Society
Texas Medical Association
Texas Neurological Society
Texas Ophthalmological Association
Texas Orthopedic Association
Texas Osteopathic Medical Association
Texas Pain Society
Texas Pediatric Society
Texas Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Society
Texas Radiological Society
Texas Society of Anesthesiologists
Texas Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Texas Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Texas Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy
Texas Society of Medical Oncology
Texas Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Texas Society of Pediatric Surgeons
Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons
Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians
Texas Society of American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
Texas Surgical Society
Texas Thoracic Society
Texas Transplantation Society
Texas Urological Society
<<back
to top>>
PREFACE
Medicaid Inpatient Hospital Screening Criteria
The criteria in this manual will be used by Texas Health and Human Services Commission
(HHSC) Utilization Review Department nurse reviewers in performing utilization review
of Medicaid hospital inpatient stays for fee for service clients.
This manual is a product of a collaborative effort between the HHSC UR Department
and the Texas Medical Foundation (TMF), the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO)
for the State of Texas. The TMF Screening Criteria Manual was produced with funds
from federal contract number 500-99-TX03, sponsored by the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The
latest revision was released in September 2001. Physician Consultants from HHSC
participated in the review and update of the TMF Screening Criteria Manual to ensure
that the criteria applicable to the Medicaid population were adequately reviewed.
The TMF screening criteria was then shared with HHSC to be adapted and published
for use in the HHSC UR Department, and as a tool to be used by health care facilities
across Texas. It is our hope that this consolidation of medical necessity and treatment
criteria will enable Texas hospitals to perform their utilization work with greater
efficiency.
The criteria do not represent standards of care and should not influence the medical
decision to hospitalize a patient or the treatment provided to a hospitalized patient.
The criteria are not used by the physician reviewer to make review decisions.
Use of Admission Screening Criteria
The admission criteria sets for acute hospitalization contain general information
concerning medical reasons for a patient's hospitalization and subsequent treatment.
Each admission criteria set includes three elements:
- Indication for hospitalization
- Treatment
- Discharge screens
The admission criteria are used to verify the medical necessity of an inpatient
stay. For the purposes of hospital utilization review performed by the HHSC Utilization
Review Department, medical necessity means the patient has a condition requiring
treatment than can be safely provided in the inpatient setting only.
In order for the nurse reviewer to approve the inpatient admission, an indication
for hospitalization (IH) element and a treatment (T) element must be met. The nurse
reviewer may use elements (indication for hospitalization and treatment) from one
specific criteria set alone, from the general criteria set, or one element from
a specific criteria set and one element from the general criteria set. The criteria
may be met at any point during the hospitalization.
For the Medicaid program, in order for criteria which have been marked with an *
to be met (indications for hospitalization, monitoring, treatments, procedures),
physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure. Some of the criteria
in N. PSYCHIATRIC has been modified or added (bolded and italicized text)
from the original TMF criteria, for use in the Medicaid program.
Both discharge screens and Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Generic
Quality Screens are used in determining a patient's stability for discharge. Discharge
screens are included in each admission criteria set (treatment element). The screens
will be compared to the patient's condition at discharge. If the discharge screens
are not met, a referral for a physician review may be made to determine the patient's
medical stability at discharge. The CMS Generic Quality Screens are also applied
during the review. If the Generic Quality Screens are failed, the patient may be
considered not stable for discharge, even when meeting discharge screens.
Pediatric Elements
Certain screening criteria elements have been designated as pediatric. These criteria
are in bold, unitalicized text. The age range for the use of pediatric criteria
elements is 0-17 years. Any criteria element may be used to approve a pediatric
admission; however, the pediatric elements should be used when applicable. Pediatric
screening elements cannot be applied to adult patients.
Geriatric Elements
Some criteria are designated as geriatric. The age range for the use of geriatric
criteria elements is 65 years of age or older. Any criteria element may be used
to approve a geriatric admission; however, the geriatric elements should be used
when applicable. Geriatric screening elements cannot be applied to pediatric patients.
Outpatient Observation
Some patients, while not requiring hospital admission, may require a period of observation
(less than 24 hours) in the hospital environment as an outpatient while the physician
evaluates the patient to determine the need for inpatient admission, or when the
physician has reason to believe that the patient will respond rapidly to treatment
(within 24 hours). Observation services may be provided in any part of the hospital
where a patient can be assessed, examined, monitored, or treated.
In the Texas Medicaid program, observation room charges are considered as outpatient
room charges. Hospitals may bill medically necessary services provided during the
period of observation as outpatient services (type of bill 131).
To receive reimbursement for services that are medically indicated and exceed the
24-hour period from the initial point of contact with the hospital, the claim may
be submitted as an inpatient stay. The admission date for the inpatient stay is
the date the client was placed in observation. It is important to realize that any
inpatient stay billed to the Texas Medicaid program is subject to retrospective
utilization review with the possibility for denial if the admission is determined
not medically necessary. If the inpatient admission is denied as not medically necessary,
services rendered during the first 23 hours (less than 24 hours) may be re-billed
to the claims administrator as an outpatient claim, according to instructions noted
in the admission denial letter, if the physician's order for outpatient observation
is present in the hospital medical record.
<<back
to top>>
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS (ASA)
PHYSICAL STATUS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification System
was designed to describe a patient's current health status as an important factor
in assessing overall preoperative risk. The ASA rating system considers the various
organ systems. The ASA classification system has six categories. The patient is
placed in a higher category for each additional malfunctioning organ system.
Class |
Description |
Examples |
1 |
A normal, healthy patient, without organic, physiologic or psychiatric disturbance |
Healthy patient with good exercise tolerance |
2 |
A patient with mild systemic disease, controlled medical conditions without significant
systemic effects |
Controlled hypertension, controlled diabetes mellitus without system effects, cigarette
smoking without evidence of COPD, anemia, mild obesity, age less than 1 or greater
than 70 years, pregnancy |
3 |
A patient with severe systemic disease, having medical conditions with significant
systemic effects intermittently associated with significant functional compromise |
Controlled CHF, stable angina, old MI, poorly controlled hypertension, morbid obesity,
bronchospastic disease with intermittent symptoms, chronic renal failure |
4 |
A patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life, having
medical conditions that are poorly controlled, associated with significant dysfunction
or incapacity |
Unstable angina, symptomatic COPD, symptomatic CHF, hepatorenal failure |
5 |
A moribund patient who is not expected to survive without the surgical procedure |
Multiorgan failure, sepsis syndrome with hemodynamic instability, profound hypothermia,
poorly controlled coagulopathy |
6 |
A patient declared brain-dead whose organs are being removed for donor purposes
|
|
E |
This modifier is added to any of the above classes to signify a procedure that is
being performed as an emergency and may be associated with a suboptimal opportunity
for risk modification |
Source: |
American Society of Anesthesiologists Relative Values Guide, 1999.
Anesthesia Guidelines |
CLASSIFICATION OF FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY AND OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS
WITH HEART DISEASE
Functional Capacity
Class I |
Patients with cardiac disease but without resulting limitation of physical activity.
Ordinary physical activity does not cause undue fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea or
anginal pain.
|
Class II |
Patients with cardiac disease resulting in slight limitation of physical activity.
They are comfortable at rest. Ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitation,
dyspnea or anginal pain.
|
Class III |
Patients with cardiac disease resulting in marked limitation of physical activity.
They are comfortable at rest. Less than ordinary activity causes fatigue, palpitation,
dyspnea or anginal pain.
|
Class IV |
Patients with cardiac disease resulting in inability to carry on any physical activity
without discomfort. Symptoms of heart failure or the anginal syndrome may be present
even at rest. If any physical activity is undertaken, discomfort is increased.
|
Objective Assessment
- No objective evidence of cardiovascular disease
- Objective evidence of minimal cardiovascular disease
- Objective evidence of moderately severe cardiovascular disease
- Objective evidence of severe cardiovascular disease
Example:
A patient with minimal or no symptoms but a large pressure gradient across the aortic
valve or severe obstruction of the left main coronary artery is classified:
Function Capacity I, Objective Assessment D
A patient with severe anginal syndrome but angiographically normal coronary arteries
is classified:
Function Capacity IV, Objective Assessment A
A patient with acute myocardial infarction, shock, reduced cardiac output, and elevated
pulmonary artery wedge pressure is classified:
Function Capacity IV, Objective Assessment D
A patient with mitral valve stenosis, moderate exertional dyspnea, and moderate
reduction in mitral valve area is classified:
Function Capacity II or III, Objective Assessment C
Source: |
Nomenclature and Criteria for Diagnosis of Diseases of the Heart and Great Vessels
(Little, Brown & Co.). Ninth Edition.
Definition revised by the American Heart Association & the New York Heart Association,
March 4, 1994.
|
<<back
to top>>
ADMISSION CRITERIA SETS FOR ACUTE HOSPITALIZATION
Indications for Hospitalization, Treatments, Discharge Screens
Laboratory-blood
- Serum sodium < 130 mEq/L or > 150 mEq/L
- Serum potassium
Adult: < 3.0 mEq/L or > 6.0 mEq/L
Pediatric: < 2.5 mEq/L or > 5.5 mEq/L
- Serum calcium
Adult: < 7.5 mg/dL or > 12.0 mg/dL
Pediatric: < 7.0 mg/dL (for ionized calcium values see newborn criteria)
- Serum bilirubin
Adult: > 2.5 mg/dL
Pediatric: > 15.0 mg/dL indirect or total bilirubin
- CO2 combining power shows non-compensated acidosis/alkalosis by arterial blood gas
documenting either HCO3 < 20 mEq/L or > 36 mEq/L or PaCO2 < 30 mmHg or
> 50 mmHg
- Arterial blood pH < 7.30 or > 7.55 (identified within the last 48 hours)
- Hemoglobin (Hgb) 10 g/dL or less with active bleeding or a 3 g/dL drop from baseline
- Toxic drug level as evidenced by laboratory report
- White blood count < 3,000 µ/L or > 16,000 µ/L
- Hemoglobin (Hgb) < 9 g/dL or > 20 g/dL with signs of volume depletion
- Hematocrit (Hct) < 24% or > 55%
- Positive blood culture
- Pediatric: Metabolic acidosis with venous lactate level > 2 mEq/L
Functional impairment (identified within last 72 hours)
- Unconsciousness
- Disorientation
- Delirium
- Motor function loss--any body part
- Loss of sensation--any body part
- Severe articular restriction and somatic dysfunction
- Change in mental status from baseline or an abrupt deterioration over previous functional
level
- Fall with inability to ambulate, in a previously ambulatory person
Physical findings
- Penetrating wounds
- Continuous hemorrhage from any site
- Wound disruption (requiring closure)
- Dehiscence/evisceration
- Seizures uncontrolled by medication
- Congenital abnormality admitted for surgical intervention requiring hospitalization
- Documentation of malignancy and admitted for treatment requiring hospitalization
- Generalized edema
- Clinical signs of dehydration to include two or more of the following: altered mental
status, lethargy, light-headedness, syncope, decreased skin turgor, dry mucous membranes,
tachycardia, or orthostatic hypotension
Pediatric: Other symptoms of dehydration including sunken eyes or fontanels, weight
loss > 5% and/or decreased urine output < 1ml/kg/hr
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
Pediatric:
- Present or potential respiratory depression
- *Observation for head trauma
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea with dehydration
- Shock or potential shock
Vital signs (taken at rest)
- Temperature:
Adult: > 101° F (38.3° C) oral temperature with white blood count (WBC) >
12,000 µ/L or hypothermia with a core temperature < 95° F (35° C)
Pediatric values reflect rectal or tympanic temperature readings. To convert rectal
temperatures to an oral value, subtract one degree.
Pediatric: < 8 weeks > 100.4° F (38.0° C)
8 weeks - 1 year >
101° F (38.3° C)
> 1 year - 3 years > 102°
F (38.9° C) with WBC > 15,000µ/L
> 3 years - 17 years > 104°
F (40° C) with WBC > 16,000µ/L
- Pulse: beats per minute (bpm)
Adult: < 50 bpm (with symptoms if sinus rhythm) or > 120 bpm
Geriatric: < 50 bpm and symptomatic or > 100 bpm
Pediatric: < 6 weeks < 80 or > 200 bpm
6 weeks - 1 year <
70 or > 180 bpm
> 1 year - 3 years < 60 or
> 170 bpm
> 3 years - 12 years < 60
or > 160 bpm
> 12 years - 17 years < 50
or > 140 bpm
- Respirations:
Adult/Geriatric: < 10 or > 30/minute
Pediatric: Newborn
(first 12 days of life) > 60/minute sustained
or Pa O2 < 50 mmHg on room air with O2 saturation
< 90%
> 12 days - 1 year < 25 or > 60/minute
> 1 year - 3 years < 15 or > 40/minute
> 3 years - 12 years < 15 or > 40/minute
> 12 years - 17 years < 12 or > 30/minute
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
- Blood pressure: Systolic (mmHg)
Diastolic (mmHg)
Adult:
< 80 or > 200 > 120
Geriatric:
< 100 or > 180 > 120with symptoms
Pediatric:
- birth to 1 year < 65 or
> 100 < 30 or > 65
> 1 year - 3 years < 75 or > 110
< 45 or > 75
> 3 years - 6 years < 80 or > 115
< 50 or > 80
> 6 years - 12 years < 80 or > 130
< 50 or > 90
> 12 years - 17 years < 80 or > 170
< 50 or > 100
Related areas
- Suspected or known ingestion of a toxic substance with potentially serious side
effects
Pediatric:
- Suspected or proven child abuse/neglect
- Failure to thrive
- Suspected or known ingestion of foreign body
- Suspected apnea > 20 seconds (0 - 1 years)
Other
- Admitted for surgical procedure which required hospitalization (indication for the
surgery is documented)
- Admitted for day surgery procedure (indication for procedure is documented) and
patient has American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Classification of Physical
Status of III, IV, or V, or Classification of Heart Disease III or IV
NOTE: See pages v and vi of this criteria manual for further information on ASA and
AHA classification and status.
<<back
to top>>
Monitoring
- * Continuous electronic monitoring/telemetry
NOTE: Does not include Holter-monitor. Pediatric patients may appropriately be on
continuous monitoring in a non-critical care setting.
- * Apnea monitoring
The following criteria (53-59) must be performed for two consecutive days with documented
indication for monitoring:
53. EKG |
54. Drug levels |
55. Blood gases |
56. Enzyme levels |
57. Electrolytes |
58. Hemoglobin/hematocrit levels |
59. Seizure precautions |
|
|
Medications
- Intravenously (IV) administered medications at least two times daily or one time
daily for IV antibiotics with one time daily recommended dosage
- IV fluid with KCl (only if patient is hypokalemic and unable to take po meds):
Adult - K+ 3.0 mEq/L or less
Pediatric - K+ 2.5 mEq/L or less
- Hypertonic saline (3% or 5% solution)
Procedures
Adult
- Invasive procedure performed with general or regional (excluding local anesthesia)
and requiring post-procedure observations for documented actual or suspected complications
(Observations must be documented)
Pediatric:
- Invasive procedure performed on an infant or a child that requires sedation, pre-procedure
stabilization or preparation, or post-procedure observation that cannot be performed
in an outpatient setting (e.g., cardiac cath, angiogram, lymph angiogram, MRI, or
CAT)
Treatments
- Hyperalimentation other than maintenance (for neonatal or oncology patients see
specific criteria sections L and O)
Pediatric:
- Treatment for failure to thrive to include all of the following
- Daily weight
- Documentation of intake
- Documentation of mother/child interaction
- Reverse/protective isolation and/or isolette for isolation purposes
Other
- * Documented social services intervention (e.g., home evaluation, foster home placement,
etc.)
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
<<back
to top>>
A. GENERAL - Discharge Screens
Vital signs
- Vital signs within the following limits for age for 24 hours prior to discharge
or an abnormal reading within 24 hours, followed by a subsequent normal reading
Temperature (all ages): |
Oral Rectal |
< 101° F (38.3° C)
< 102° F (38.9° C) |
Blood pressure: |
Systolic (mmHg) |
Diastolic (mmHg) |
Adult/Geriatric: |
85-180 |
50-110 |
Pediatric:
birth to 1 year
> 1 year - 3 years
> 3 years - 6 years
> 6 years - 12 years
> 12 years - 17years |
65 - 100
75 - 110
80 - 120
90 - 130
80 - 140 |
30 - 65
50 - 70
50 - 80
60 - 80
70 - 85 |
Pulse: |
beats per minute (bpm) |
Adult/Geriatric: |
50-120 bpm (> 45 if the patient is on a beta blocker) |
Pediatric: |
|
|
< 1 year
> 1 year - 3 years
> 3 years - 6 years
> 6 years - 12 years
>12 years - 17 years |
80-160 bpm
80-130 bpm
70-120 bpm
70-110 bpm
50-105 bpm |
Respirations: |
per minute |
Adult/Geriatric: |
12-30 |
Pediatric: |
|
|
< 1 year
> 1 year - 3 years
> 3 years - 12 years
>12 years - 17 years |
30-50
20-40
15-30
12-25 |
Patient education
- Patient and/or family competent for care, patient having received maximum benefits
of education in hospital
Functional
- Prescribed diet tolerated for last 12 hours prior to discharge without nausea/vomiting,
excluding chemotherapy patients
- Self-initiated and self-effected activities of daily living or documented
provision for such in an alternate setting
- Voiding or draining urine without difficulty for last 12 hours or arrangements
have been made for drainage of urine, voiding activities in an alternative setting,
or hemodialysis/continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)
- Parenteral analgesic administration not to exceed one dose within 3 hours prior
to discharge, excluding patients expected to require regular analgesic administration
for a persistent condition
Pediatric:
- Infant has grown or shown a steady weight gain on po or tube feedings
- Infant has demonstrated good sucking mechanism
- Infant able to maintain body temperature in an open crib
- No apnea for 24 hours
- Responsible caretaker demonstrates ability to care for infant/child
<<back
to top>>
Laboratory (identified within last 72 hours)
- Hemoglobin (Hgb) < 9 g/dL or > 20 g/dL if patient is symptomatic
- Hematocrit (Hct) < 24% or > 55% if symptomatic
- WBC < 3,000 µ/L or > 16,000 µ/L
- Platelet count < 40,000/mm3 or > 1.0 million/mm3 if patient is symptomatic
(including petechiae or ecchymosis in children)
- INR > 10 with active bleeding
- PT > 18 seconds with bleeding in patients not on Coumadin
- Positive blood culture
- Temperature > 100° F (37.8° C) with absolute neutrophil count < 500 µ/l
Physical findings
- Acute occlusion of vessel
- Active uncontrolled bleeding
- Incapacitating joint pain or abdominal pain
- Bleeding into joint, viscus, brain, or retroperitoneum
Other
- Patients on oral anticoagulants who require invasive procedures and must be switched
from an oral agent to heparin pre-operatively if this cannot be accomplished in
the outpatient setting
<<back
to top>>
B. BLOOD - Treatment
Medications
- Initiation of oral anticoagulation therapy (Coumadin, warfarin sodium)
- Parenteral anticoagulation therapy (heparin) with monitoring of PTT level
- Active treatment of an acute condition with dalteparin or enoxaparin (not valid
for prophylactic treatment)
- High dose oral or parenteral analgesics for sickle cell crisis
Treatments
- Reverse/protective isolation and/or isolette for isolation purposes
- Multiple blood/component transfusions, > two units within a 24-hour period, or
> 2 units during hospital stay for patients with a medical condition contraindicating
> 2 units within 24 hours (e.g., CHF, chronic renal failure)
Pediatric: > 10 cc packed red blood cells/kg
- Cytopheresis for WBC > 100,000 µ/L if symptomatic
- Apheresis or plasma pheresis for hyperviscosity associated with abnormal proteins;
for TTP; or for platelets > 1 million/mm3 associated with vascular occlusive
symptoms
<<back
to top>>
B. BLOOD - Discharge Screens
- No evidence of bleeding for 24 hours
- INR controlled or plans for follow-up as outpatient
<<back
to top>>
Laboratory - blood
- CPK above normal range and associated with abnormal EKG
- LDH above normal range and associated with abnormal EKG
- PaO2 < 60 mmHg
- Elevated Troponin I or Troponin T level
- Elevated CK-MB
- Elevated CPK and LDH with non-specific EKG changes
Clinical studies
- EKG diagnostic or probable for acute myocardial infarction/acute myocardial ischemia
- Nonspecific EKG findings with elevated acute myocardial injury enzymes (e.g., Troponin
I and/or CK-MB)
EKG, telemetry or ambulatory monitoring (Holter monitor) evidence of (initial onset
within last 72 hours):
- Fibrillation < 24 hours or poorly controlled rate
- Flutter < 24 hours or poorly controlled rate
- Bradycardia (< 50 beats per minute [< 45 if patient is on beta-blocker])
- Tachycardia (> 120 beats per minute)
- Dysrhythmia producing a rate > 120/min
- New onset of junctional rhythm any rate
- Abnormal function of pacemaker not correctable by reprogramming
- EKG with 3rd degree AV block
Radiology
- Aneurysm of great vessels if symptomatic and/or > 5 cm
- Radiological evidence of massive cardiac enlargement/aneurysm or pericardial effusion
- Radiological evidence of pulmonary edema or pulmonary vascular redistribution
Physical findings
- Acute cardiac-related pain/pressure
- Acute dyspnea/respiratory rate over 30 per minute
- Acute absence of pulse at axilla, wrist, elbow, groin, knee, or ankle
- Suspicion of pulmonary embolism, by history (documented by physician)
- Acute occlusion of vessel
- 4+ pre-tibial edema
- Malfunction of pacemaker or implanted cardioverter/defibrillator
- Carotid artery stenosis, narrowing, or disease, with symptoms (e.g., transient speech
dysfunction, dysarthria, gait disturbance, amaurosis fugax, transient hemiparesis)
- Generalized edema
- Syncope
- Orthopnea
Other
- Admitted for acute congestive heart failure or exacerbation of chronic CHF as evidenced
by one of the following: S3 gallop rhythm; pulmonary edema or pleural effusion;
distended neck veins; use of accessory muscles; persistent symptoms of dyspnea or
weakness; or edema unresponsive to ambulatory management
Pediatric:
- Admitted for preprocedure stabilization or post procedure observation for cardiac
catheterization or arteriogram
- Congenital cardiac malformations associated with cardiorespiratory instability
- Cardiac transplant complications of rejection crisis, hypertension and infection
<<back
to top>>
C. CARDIOVASCULAR - Treatment
Monitoring
- * Continuous electronic monitoring/telemetry
NOTE: Does not include Holter-monitor. Pediatric patients may appropriately be on
continuous monitoring in a non-critical care setting.
- * Intravascular pressure monitoring
- * Serial cardiac enzymes (q 8-12 hours or daily x 3) and EKGs
Medications
- Initial antiarrhythmic medications
- Initial anticoagulation medications (Coumadin, heparin, warfarin sodium)
- Parenteral antiarrhythmic medications
- Parenteral digitalization
- Initial antihypertensive medication (parenteral or sublingual)
- Parenteral diuretic therapy
- Parenteral pressor therapy for CHF or hypertension
- Parenteral antianginal medications
Procedures
- Enzymatic clot dissolution (e.g., Streptokinase)
- Cardioversion, performed on an urgent basis for a new onset arrhythmia
Pediatric:
- Cardiac catheterization
- Coronary angiogram
- Aortogram
- Arteriogram
- Angiographic placement of stents and obstructive devices
Treatments
- Circulatory assistance (e.g., Intra-Aortic Pump) device in use
- Left or right ventricular assist device
Pediatric:
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)/heart-lung machine
<<back
to top>>
C. CARDIOVASCULAR - Discharge Screens
- Documented evidence of controlled chest pain after 2 days of appropriate activity
as indicated for this patient (e.g., ambulatory if patient is capable)
- No further progression of EKG changes and/or serial acute cardiac injury enzymes
normal or decreasing for 24 hours
- Prothrombin time controlled or plans for follow-up as outpatient
- No intravenous antiarrhythmic drugs for last 24 hours
- Vital signs stable for age for last 24 hours
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
<<back
to top>>
Laboratory - spinal fluid
- Elevated spinal fluid pressure (> 200 mm/H2O)
- Spinal fluid positive for five or more white blood cells
- Red blood cells consistent with subarachnoid hemorrhage and/or unexplained xanthochromia
(yellow discoloration of spinal fluid)
- Pathogens in spinal fluid
- Spinal fluid sugar < 40 mg/dL or 40% of concurrent blood sugar
- Malignant cells in spinal fluid
Radiology (identified within last 72 hours)
- Skull x-ray reveals new fracture
- Space-occupying lesion
- Block of ventricular system
- Infarction or hemorrhage demonstrated on CAT scan or magnetic resonance imaging,
or stenosis or occlusion of a vessel demonstrated by ultrasound or angiogram
- Acute herniated intervertebral disc with debilitating pain and/or neurologic signs
- Confirmation of spinal cord compression with associated clinical findings
Physical findings suggestive of increased intracranial pressure, hemorrhage, or structural
deformity as evidenced by:
- Spinal fluid discharge from ear or nose
- Unequal or fixed pupils
- Papilledema
- Recent onset or increased seizure activity resulting in an unstable condition
- Vomiting
- Increased blood pressure (reference general criteria for parameters)
- Altered level of consciousness or acute change in behavior
- Syncope
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Language dysfunction
- Visual disturbance (blurred vision or diplopia)
- Sensory, motor, personality, or mental deficit
- Acute ataxia (with or without vertigo, nausea, or vomiting)
- Episodes of sudden loss of consciousness
- Acute onset of intractable headaches with changes in mentation
- Increased or decreased muscle tone or focal weakness
- Bulging fontanelle
- Acute or semi-acute onset of motor weakness with or without pain or paresthesias
(e.g., myasthenia gravis, Guillian-Barre syndrome, congenital neurologic disorders,
etc.)
- Acute urinary retention
- Lethargy or confusion of acute onset that is progressive
Pediatric (any of the indications listed above and/or):
- Rapidly increasing head size
- Presence of any focal neurologic finding (i.e., extra ocular movement [EOM] deficits)
- Prematurely closed sutures of skull
- Widening of sutures of skull
<<back
to top>>
D. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM/HEAD - Treatment
Monitoring
- * Neurological status (pupil reaction/size, orientation to time/place, motor or
sensory deficit) at least every four hours
- Intracranial pressure monitoring
- * Seizure precautions, with seizure within last 12 hours
Medications
- Adjustment of anticonvulsant medication for recent and intractable seizures
- Parenteral steroids with monitoring requirement (as described in 51-53)
- Parenteral anticoagulants with monitoring of PTT
- Thrombolytic administration/therapy requiring monitoring
Procedures
- * Ventriculogram
- Intubation and hyperventilation in cases of acute increased intracranial pressure
- * Gamma radiosurgery/stereotactic focused proton beam
- Pallidotomy for movement disorder
- * Vagal stimulation
- * Baclofen pump placement and trial
- Laminectomy, discectomy and fusion procedure
- Craniotomy
- Burr holes for hematoma drainage
- Brain biopsy
Pediatric:
- Arteriogram
<<back
to top>>
D. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM/HEAD - Discharge Screens
- Adult - No seizures for 48 hours
Pediatric - No seizures for 48-72 hours
- Stabilization of neurologic status
- Anticoagulants and/or other medications are adequately adjusted and regulated
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
<<back
to top>>
Physical findings
- Acute trauma requiring surgical reconstruction
Ear
- Incapacitating vertigo
- Purulent drainage and/or post auricular swelling with documentation of failed outpatient
management
- Acute extreme swelling of the external auditory canal or auricle not resolved by
outpatient treatment
- Acute sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Nose
- Epistaxis with persistent bleeding and failure of outpatient treatment
Throat
- Acute trauma to neck or throat (including facial burns) requiring observation for
possible airway compromise
- Acute laryngeal or pharyngeal obstruction (e.g., peritonsillar abscess)
Related areas
- Soft tissue swelling which compromises the airway (e.g., cellulitis of face and
neck, deep neck abscess, acute parotiditis)
- Acute ophthalmoplegia or orbital edema
Radiology
- Radiologic evidence of acute mastoiditis
<<back
to top>>
E. EAR, NOSE, THROAT - Treatment
Treatment
- Initial tracheostomy care
- Control of epistaxis by operative or other procedures
- Implantation of radioactive materials requiring isolation or observation for side
effects
- Endotracheal intubation
<<back
to top>>
E. EAR, NOSE, THROAT - Discharge Screens
- No evidence of new bleeding for 12 hours after packing removed
- Tolerating p.o. feedings for last 12 hours without nausea/vomiting or feeding causing
threat to incisions
- Patient or significant other person demonstrates ability to clean and care for tracheostomy
<<back
to top>>
Laboratory - blood
Abnormal endocrine/metabolic laboratory studies:
- Adult: Serum calcium < 7.5 mg/dL or > 12.0 mg/dL (without significant increase
in albumin)
Pediatric: Ionized calcium
mmol/L
0 - 1 months < 0.9 or > 1.45
1 - 6 months < 0.95 or >
1.50
> 6 months <
1.10 or > 1.30
- Serum acetone present and pH < 7.35
- Serum cortisol > 3 times lab normal or less than normal
- Non-fasting blood sugar < 50 mg/dL with altered mental status or
or > 300 mg/dL with serum osmolality > 295
- Adult: Blood sugar > 500 mg/dL with at least one of
the following:
a. BUN > 45 mg/dL and/or
creatinine > 3.0 mg/dL
b. change in mental status
OR
Blood sugar of > 250
associated with:
a. arterial pH < 7.35
and HCO3 < 18 mEq/L and
b. ketonuria
OR
Blood sugar < 50 mg/dL
with:
a. Change in mental status,
and
b. Unresponsive to glucose
50% bolus and on insulin, or
c. On an oral agent regardless
of response to glucose bolus
Pediatric: Blood sugar > 250 mg/dL with at least one of the following:
a. ketonuria
b. arterial pH < 7.3
c. HCO3 <15 mEq/L
OR
Blood sugar < 50 mg/dL
and unresponsive to glucose 50% bolus
- HgbA1C > 12% with documentation of failed outpatient management
- Significantly increasing ACTH level, documented by physician from laboratory evaluation
- Significantly decreasing ACTH level, documented by physician from laboratory evaluation
- T-4 < 2 or > 16 mcg/dL with significant or serious symptoms
- Decreasing ADH with polyuria
- PaO2 < 60 mmHg
- Hyper or hypo-osmolarity (serum sodium < 130 mEq/L or > 150 mEq/L)
Laboratory - urine
- Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) > 9 mg (24 hour urine) diagnostic for adrenal tumor
producing hypertension
Pediatric:
- Presence of acetone in urine
Physical findings
- Thyroid mass compressing trachea
- Thyroid crisis
- Tetany
- Newly diagnosed adrenal, pancreatic, or pituitary mass, or patient admitted for
definitive treatment of a known adrenal, pancreatic, or pituitary mass
- Malignant exophthalmos
- Morbid obesity with cyanosis, edema, lethargy, and/or sleep apnea
- Hypertension
Adult:
Systolic > 200 mmHg, or diastolic > 120 mmHg
Pediatric:
Systolic (mmHg) Diastolic (mmHg)
birth to 1 year <
65 or > 100 < 30 or > 65
> 1 year - 3 years < 75 or >
110 < 45 or > 75
> 3 years - 6 years < 80 or >
115 < 50 or > 80
> 6 years - 12 years < 80 or > 130
< 50 or > 90
> 12 years - 17 years < 80 or > 170
< 50 or > 100
<<back
to top>>
F. ENDOCRINE/METABOLIC - Treatment
Monitoring
- * Continuous electronic monitoring/telemetry
NOTE: Does not include Holter-monitor. Pediatric patients may appropriately be on
continuous monitoring in a non-critical care setting.
- * Blood pressure monitored every two hours for a minimum of eight hours
Monitoring of metabolic/endocrine laboratory parameters:
- Serum calcium daily
- ACTH every 3 days
- Blood sugars at least 2 times per day
Medications
- Initial parenteral insulin
- Insulin adjustment with blood sugars monitored morning and night, or > 2 times/day
- Initial parenteral or sublingual medication for treatment of hypertension
- Parenteral medications for treatment of renal dysfunction (e.g., diuretics, glucose
and insulin, hypertonic sodium bicarbonate, etc.)
Pediatric:
- Initiation and continuing parenteral therapy for hypertension
Treatments
- Radioisotope with danger to patient, danger to others, or observation for side effects
- Initiation of treatment for hypertension
Other
- * Requires observation by hospital personnel for Regitine or vasopressin treatment,
insulin tolerance test, metapyrone or dexamethasone suppression tests
<<back
to top>>
F. ENDOCRINE/METABOLIC - Discharge Screens
- No change in dosage or types of insulin for 12 hours, unless documentation reflects
planned outpatient follow-up
- No change in steroid therapy for 12 hours or patient receiving prescribed tapered
dose of steroids
- Blood calcium within acceptable range for last 12 hours
- Blood sugar in acceptable range for 24 hours
- Blood pressure controlled for 24 hours
- Symptoms stabilized for 12 hours
- Patient or significant other demonstrates ability to administer correct dose of
insulin
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
<<back
to top>>
Physical findings
- Acute loss of sight
- Anterior chamber flat
- Acute angle closure glaucoma with documentation of failed outpatient treatment
- Penetration or laceration of eyeball
- Severe corneal ulcer with documentation of failed outpatient treatment
- Endophthalmitis
- Severe ocular pain
- Retinal detachment or threatened detachment
- Presence of intraocular or intraorbital foreign body
- Gonorrheal conjunctivitis
- Orbital fracture
- Acute swelling of the globe
- Acute chemical burn
- Orbital or periorbital cellulitis
Pediatric:
- Severe purulent conjunctivitis in a child 0 - 3 months of age
Other
- Admit for cataract extraction, glaucoma filtering operation, or surgical iridectomy,
when one of the following is documented:
- Legally blind (< 20/200 or < 20° visual field) in the non-operated eye
- History of post-operative complications (endophthalmitis, acute glaucoma, massive
Intraocular hemorrhage) sustained in the past in the eye undergoing subsequent intraocular
surgery
Pediatric:
- Evaluation of intraocular or extraocular tumor
- Procedures related to retinopathy of prematurity
<<back
to top>>
G. EYE - Treatment
Treatments
- Eye drops requiring instillation and/or observation by hospital personnel
- Frequent ocular monitoring (e.g., pressure measurements with expandable gases)
- Positioning requirements such as face-down posturing
<<back
to top>>
G. EYE - Discharge Screens
- Intraocular pressure < 24 mmHg for 24 hours
- Improving status of intraocular or extraocular inflammation/infection
- Absence of remediable ocular abnormality that could be treated surgically or that
requires hospitalization for specified reasons
<<back
to top>>
Diagnosed pregnancy with any one of the following:
- Uterine contractions every 15 minutes or more often
- Vaginal bleeding
- Diastolic blood pressure elevated to > 15 mmHg over recorded normal or > 140/90
mmHg
- Urine positive for protein
- Abdominal tenderness or rigidity
- Leakage of amniotic fluid
- Protrusion of fetal part from cervix
- Fetal distress
- Post-maturity (> 1 week past estimated date of confinement)
- Admitted for Cesarean section
- Uncontrolled vomiting with documentation of failed of outpatient management
- Intrauterine death
- Premature labor
- Fasting blood sugar > 120 mg/dl
- Blood sugar > 200 mg/dl after two hours on a three hour glucose tolerance test
- Blood sugar > 200 mg/dl one hour after taking 50gm of Glucola
- Known diabetic or gestational diabetic on insulin who is unable to maintain blood
glucose levels within an acceptable range, with documentation of failed outpatient
management
- Admitted for intrauterine exchange transfusion for Rh factor incompatibility
- Admitted for induction of labor for medical indications
- Maternal dehydration
Physical findings
- Profuse vaginal bleeding with hemodynamic instability
- Postmenopausal bleeding
- Persistent pelvic inflammation with documentation of failed outpatient management
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Postpartum fever or endometritis requiring IV antibiotics
- Rectovaginal fistula, admitted for repair
Pelvic pain associated with one of the following elements (27-32):
- Pelvic mass
- Vomiting
- Temperature > 101° F (38.3° C)
- Palpable extrauterine mass
- Inability to void
- Urinary obstruction
Other
- Delivery prior to hospitalization
- Peritonitis
- Post partum mastitis that is unresponsive to outpatient treatment
<<back
to top>>
H. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE - Treatment
Monitoring
- Internal fetal monitoring
- Continuous or intermittent external fetal monitoring, or every 30 min per fetoscope
with documented need for monitoring for more than 23 hours and 59 minutes
- Monitoring of blood sugar (at least two times daily)
Medications
- Cervical ripening with prostaglandin or parenteral medication for induction of labor
(e.g., Pitocin)
- Control of toxemia/eclampsia (e.g., antihypertensives, anticonvulsant)
- Medication for premature labor (e.g., terbutaline sulfate)
- Adjustment of insulin
Procedures
- Normal delivery
- Cesarean section
- * Invasive fetal procedures
- * Postpartum care following delivery outside of hospital
- * Cervical cerclage
- Attempted external version-fetal
Treatments
- Implantation of radioactive materials requiring isolation or observation for side
effects
- Blood transfusion at least 2 units/24 hours
<<back
to top>>
H. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE - Discharge Screens
- No unusual bleeding for last 12 hours
- Absence of contractions for 4 hours as documented by fetal monitor
- No change in cervix for 4 hours in cases of premature labor
- Parenteral analgesic administration not to exceed one dose within 3 hours prior
to discharge, excluding patients expected to require regular analgesic administration
for a persistent condition
- Blood sugars within an acceptable range x 24 hours
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
<<back
to top>>
Laboratory-blood
- Serum bilirubin > 2.5 mg/dL (unless chronically abnormal)
NOTE: See Newborn and Premature criteria for bilirubin values specific to newborns.
- Serum amylase above lab normal range
- Serum calcium < 7.5 mg/dL or > 12 mg/dL
Radiology
- Imaging studies suggestive of mass, obstruction, perforation, abscess, or other
acute process
- Failure of passage of contrast material
Physical findings
- Blood in vomitus or gastric aspirate
- Blood in peritoneal lavage/aspiration
- Unexplained palpable abdominal mass
- Abdominal rigidity
- Rebound tenderness
- Progressive acute or subacute dysphagia
- Lower GI bleed with Hematocrit (Hct) < 30% or 10 mmHg drop in systolic BP from
baseline
- Acute onset (within last 24 hours) of encephalopathy or altered mental status
- Incarcerated hernia
- Ileus
- Suspicion of ruptured organ
- Esophageal obstruction
- Asterixis (liver flap)
- Ascites
- Incapacitating, acute abdominal pain (NPO, non-ambulatory)
History of 48 hour vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and any one of the following elements
(21-26):
- Serum sodium above 150 mEq/L
- Hematocrit (Hct) above 55%
- Hemoglobin (Hgb) above 20 g/dL
- Urine specific gravity above 1.026
- BUN above 30 mg/dL, excluding patients with chronic renal disease
- Creatinine above 1.5 mg/dL, excluding patients with chronic renal disease
Pediatric:
- Congenital malformations of the intestinal tract or abdominal wall
- Suspected biliary atresia
- Dehydration with any of the following symptoms: sunken eyes, sunken fontanels, decreased
skin turgor or dry mucous membranes accompanied by lethargy and/or weight loss >
5% urine output < 1 ml/kg/hr
- Admit for liver biopsy
Other
- * Presence of ostomy, admitted for revision or closure
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
<<back
to top>>
I. GASTROINTESTINAL/ABDOMEN - Treatment
Medications
- Parenteral antiemetic or anti-nausea medications at least two times daily
- Parenteral replacement of fluids/electrolytes with evidence of dehydration (clinical
signs or laboratory values), or patient is NPO
- Parenteral analgesics 2 times per day
Pediatric:
- Dehydration requiring oral or parenteral fluid/electrolyte replacement therapy
Procedures
- * Repair incarcerated hernia
- * Laparotomy
- * Sclerotherapy of varices
- * Transhepatic cholangiogram
- * Colonoscopy for reduction of sigmoid volvulus
Pediatric:
- Angiogram
- Liver biopsy
- Esophageal pH studies (24 hours)
Treatments
- Gastric or intestinal intubation for drainage or initial feeding
- Hyperalimentation/total parenteral nutrition (TPN) other than maintenance
NOTE: For neonatal or oncology patients see specific criteria sections L and O
<<back
to top>>
I. GASTROINTESTINAL/ABDOMEN - Discharge Screens
- No purulent, bloody, or substantially increased drainage, increased swelling, heat,
or redness of post-operative wound within 24 hours prior to discharge
- Patient or significant other person able to clean and care for stoma and appliance,
feeding tube or drainage tube
- No evidence of new bleeding for 12 hours
- Parenteral analgesic administration not to exceed one dose within 3 hours prior
to discharge, excluding patients expected to require regular analgesic administration
for a persistent condition
- No signs of dehydration documented
- Prescribed diet tolerated for 12 hours prior to discharge without
nausea/vomiting, excluding chemotherapy patients
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
<<back
to top>>
Physical findings
- Acute onset of severe testicular pain
- Unexplained testicular mass
- Painful sustained erection
- Blunt trauma to and/or acute loss of a portion of external genitalia
Pediatric:
- Torsion of testes
<<back
to top>>
J. MALE REPRODUCTIVE - Treatment
Treatments
- Penile corporal irrigation or shunting procedure
- * Observation of/for swelling or hemorrhage
<<back
to top>>
J. MALE REPRODUCTIVE - Discharge Screens
- Stable clinical condition
- Parenteral analgesic administration not to exceed one dose within 3 hours prior
to discharge, excluding patients expected to require regular analgesic administration
for a persistent condition
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
<<back
to top>>
Procedures or abnormal radiologic findings
- Fracture, subluxation, or dislocation of spine
- Fracture of femur or pelvis
- Fracture of sternum
- Skull fracture
- Dislocation of knee or hip
- Significant filling defect on myelogram, or significant defect on CAT or MRI
- Fracture or dislocation requiring open reduction
- Fracture associated with significant soft tissue injury
- Fracture requiring parenteral pain medications post-reduction
- Closed reduction of any fracture or dislocation with documentation of actual or
suspected neurologic or vascular compromise
- Fractured pelvis requiring enforced bed rest and medication for pain
Physical findings
- Documented findings suggestive of disc protrusion (e.g., Laseque's sign--pain with
straight leg raising; low back pain with sensory and motor impairment or severe
back pain radiating down legs, to arms or to abdomen and chest) or vertebral fracture
- Acute invasive or infectious process of bone or joint (e.g., malignant tumor, osteomyelitis)
- Acute injury with presence of foreign body
- Incapacitating muscle pain/spasm/edema
- Acute incapacitating swollen or painful joints requiring parenteral medications
(e.g., analgesia, steroids)
- Presence of internal orthopedic prosthesis and admission for removal
- * Any trauma, soft tissue injury, laceration, crush injury, or elective surgical
procedure requiring observation for neurologic or vascular compromise
- Active bleeding into joint
Pediatric:
- Congenital orthopedic deformity requiring surgical repair in children < 12 months
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
<<back
to top>>
K. MUSCULOSKELETAL/SPINE - Treatment
Monitoring
- * Neurovascular or circulatory checks at least every 2 hours
Medications
- Parenteral analgesic medication at least 2 times a day or continuous infusion (must
have documented indication for parenteral analgesic)
Procedures
Pediatric:
- * Venogram
- * Arteriogram
- * Lymph angiogram
Treatments
- Continuous skeletal, skin, cervical, pelvic, or sternal traction
- Skilled physical therapy other than heat and massage, at least 2 times per day
- * Enforced bed rest with medication for pain
<<back
to top>>
K. MUSCULOSKELETAL/SPINE - Discharge Screens
- Mobilization level--ambulates without assistance; mobilizes independently with walker,
cane, crutches, wheelchair, or prosthesis; ability to transfer from bed to chair
or commode; or as appropriate for the patient whose level of activity is not expected
to increase beyond that present at the time of admission
- Parenteral analgesic administration not to exceed one dose within 3 hours prior
to discharge, excluding patients expected to require regular analgesic administration
for a persistent condition
- Satisfactory restoration of joint range of motion and/or correction of somatic dysfunction
sufficient to permit outpatient management
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
<<back
to top>>
- Delivered in hospital
- Unattended birth outside of hospital
Physical findings
- Birth weight 2500 grams (5 lbs., 8 oz.) and under
- Clinical sepsis with one or more of the following symptoms: hypotension, temperature
instability, metabolic acidosis, apnea, bradycardia, positive laboratory findings,
WBC
< 10,000 µ/l or > 35,000 µ/l, or maternal fever > 101° F (38.3° C)
- Seizures/hyperactivity, hypotonia, lethargy, coma
- Respiratory distress or neonatal respiratory depression
- Persistent central cyanosis
- Poor sucking or feeding reflexes
- Congenital abnormalities causing functional impairment
- Poor perfusion as evidenced by capillary refill > 3 seconds
- Inability to retain po fluids
- Meconium aspiration syndrome
- Dehydration evidenced by any of the following symptoms: sunken eyes, sunken fontanels,
decreased skin turgor or dry mucous membranes accompanied by lethargy and/or weight
loss > 5% and/or urine output < 1 ml/kg/hr
- Pneumothorax
- Major congenital abnormalities
- Spontaneous bleeding
- Anuria or oliguria (< 1ml/kg/hr) after the first 24 hours of life
- Bruit over liver or skull (indicating an AV malformation)
Laboratory
- Total bilirubin > 15 mg/dL in infant (indirect or total)
- Hypoglycemia - blood sugar < 40 mg/dL
- Calcium < 7.0 mg/dL
Ionized calcium mmol/L
0 - 1 months < 0.9 or > 1.45
1 - 6 months < 0.95 or > 1.50
> 6 months < 1.10 or > 1.30
- Metabolic acidosis with venous lactate level >2 mEq/L
- pH < 7.30 with PaCO2 < 40 mmHg (first 48 hours of life)
- Blood pH < 7.35 with PaCO2 > 45 mmHg (older than 48 hours)
- PaO2 < 70 mmHg on room air
- CO2 > 45 mmHg on room air
- Thrombocytopenia < 100,000/mm3 or > 100,000/mm3 platelet count with active
bleeding
*Newborn-defined as beginning at birth and lasting through the 28th day following
birth
<<back
to top>>
L. NEWBORN/PREMATURE - Treatment
Treatments
- Environmental control (isolette, radiant warmer)
- Requires respiratory support/therapy
- Exchange transfusion for erythroblastosis or other cause of hyperbilirubinemia
- Total parenteral nutrition
- Use of phototherapy in:
- An infant > 34 weeks gestation without hemolytic disease with a
total bilirubin > 15 mg/dL
- An infant with hemolytic disease
- Preterm infant < 34 weeks gestation if bilirubin level is > 10 mg/dL
- Parenteral antibiotics
- Gavage feedings
- IV fluids (including umbilical catheterization)
- Progressive formula feedings in preterm infants
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment
- Nitrous oxide treatment
Medications
- Parenteral administration of pressor agents or antihypertensive agents
<<back
to top>>
L. NEWBORN/PREMATURE - Discharge Screens
- Responsible caretaker demonstrates ability to care for infant
- Infant has grown or shown a steady weight gain on po or tube feedings
NOTE: Infant on gavage feedings is > 42 weeks corrected gestational age
- Infant has demonstrated good sucking mechanism
- Infant able to maintain body temperature in an open crib
- Bilirubin is < 15 mg/dL and decreasing progressively off phototherapy, or arrangements
have been made to continue phototherapy at home or in an alternative care setting
<<back
to top>>
Physical findings
- Block or filling defect of major vessel
- Evidence of aortic aneurysm with associated symptoms of impending rupture (e.g.,
back or abdominal pain)
- Acute absence of pulse at axilla, wrist, elbow, groin, knee, or ankle
- Ulceration of varicose vein or decubitus area
- Documentation of suspected deep vein thrombosis or occlusion, or positive venous
doppler study
- Suspected trauma to a major vessel, open or closed
Pediatric:
- Extensive cavernous hemangioma
- Arteriovenous (AV) malformation resulting in cardiovascular compromise (e.g., CHF)
unresponsive to outpatient management or requiring surgical repair
Other
- Complications immediately following declotting of AV shunt--rethrombosis of shunt,
infection of shunt discovered during declotting of shunt, or bleeding
- Vena cava interruption by filter or surgical clip
<<back
to top>>
M. PERIPHERAL VASCULAR - Treatment
Procedure
- Vascular reconstruction of a major artery
Pediatric:
- Arteriogram/angiogram (requires documentation of need for > 24 hours observation
post procedure)
- * Arteriovenous (AV) shunt or revision of shunt
Treatment
- Initiation of oral anticoagulant therapy (Coumadin, warfarin sodium)
- Parenteral anticoagulant therapy (heparin), with monitoring of PTT level
- Active treatment of an acute condtion with dalteparin or enoxaparin (not valid for
prophylactic treatment)
- Protocol of moist heat, elevation of extremity, and strict bed rest
- Regularly scheduled aseptic dressing changes
<<back
to top>>
M. PERIPHERAL VASCULAR - Discharge Screens
- INR controlled or plans for follow-up as outpatient
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
<<back
to top>>
Medicaid Recipient Age 21 and Over/Acute Care Hospital
- Recent (within 72 hours) attempted suicide
- Documentation of suicide ideation requiring suicide precautions
- Assaultive behavior as a result of a psychiatric disorder or dementing disorder
- Documentation of self-mutilative or dangerous impulsive behaviors (e.g., serious
impulsive substance abuse, sexual behavior, reckless driving) as a result of a psychiatric
disorder or dementing disorder
- Substance withdrawal delirium
- Impending substance withdrawal delirium following abrupt cessation of the substance
in a patient with substantial history of substance abuse
- Actual substance withdrawal delirium (e.g., hallucinations, extra-pyramidal effects,
seizures) Note: can occur immediately or up to seven days after cessation
- Acute psychosis or acute exacerbation of hallucinations, delusions, illusions with
behavioral disturbance, the magnitude and severity of which threaten the patient's
well-being
- Inability to comply with prescribed psychiatric health regimens (e.g., taking
prescribed psychotropic medications, going to outpatient appointments to receive
prescriptions and/or IM medications, etc.) in a patient who has a chronic history
of decompensation without psychotropic medications, with documentation of reasonable
expectation of improved compliance with inpatient hospitalization within a short
period of time (< 14 days)
- Potential hazard to the health or life of a patient who, due to concurrent psychiatric
illness, is unable to comply with prescribed medical health regimens (e.g., insulin-dependent
diabetes, etc.)
- Acute onset of inability to care for self or attend to activities of daily living,
AND documentation of reasonable expectation that resumption of self-responsibility
will occur following appropriate treatment
- Evidence of symptoms and/or behavior or verbalizations reflecting significant risk
or potential danger (or actual demonstrated danger) to self, others, or property.
*(Must be documented a minimum of every seven days.) This would include:
- Thought disorder with ideas of reference, paranoid or disorganized thinking that
impairs a person's ability to function in everyday life
- Obsessive-compulsive symptoms or behavior incompatible with a person's ability to
function in everyday life
Medicaid Recipient Under Age 21/Freestanding Psychiatric and Acute Care Hospital
For indications for hospitalization to be met, the following three bulleted conditions
must be met, and at least one of the numbered criteria must be met:
- The client must have been seen and evaluated by a physician (preferably a child
and adolescent psychiatrist)
- The client must have a valid AXIS I, DSM-III-R, or DSM-IV diagnosis as the principal
admitting diagnosis
- Outpatient therapy and/or partial hospitalization has been attempted and failed,
or reasons why a less restrictive place of service is inappropriate have been documented
by the physician
- Recent suicide attempt or active suicidal threats with a deadly plan and there is
absence of appropriate supervision or structure to prevent suicide.
- Recent self-mutilative behavior or an active threat of same with likelihood
of acting on the threat, and there is absence of appropriate supervision or structure
to prevent self-mutilation (i.e., intentionally cutting on self or burning self).
- Active hallucinations or delusions directing or likely to lead to serious self-harm,
or debilitating psychomotor agitation or retardation resulting in a significant
inability to care for self.
- Significant inability to comply with prescribed medical health regimens due to concurrent
psychiatric illness, and such failure to comply is potentially hazardous to the
life of the client. The medical (AXIS III) diagnosis must be treatable in a psychiatric
setting.
- Recent life threatening action or active homicidal threats with a deadly plan and
with likelihood of acting on threat.
- Recent serious assaultive behavior or sadistic behavior or active threats of same
with likelihood of acting on the threat, and there is absence of appropriate supervision
or structure to prevent assaultive behavior.
- Active hallucinations or delusions directing or likely to lead to serious harm to
others.
- Client exhibits acute onset of psychosis or severe thought disorganization or there
is significant clinical deterioration in condition in someone with a chronic psychosis,
rendering the client unmanageable and unable to cooperate in treatment and client
is in need of assessment and treatment in a safe and therapeutic setting.
- Client has severe eating or substance abuse disorder which requires 24 hour a day
medical observation, supervision, and intervention.
- Proposed treatment/therapy requires 24 hour a day medical observation, supervision,
and intervention.
- Client exhibits severe disorientation to person, place, or time.
- Client whose evaluation and treatment cannot be carried out safely or effectively
in other settings due to severely disruptive behaviors and other behaviors which
may also include physical, sexual, or psychological abuse.
- Client requires medication therapy or complex diagnostic evaluation where the client's
level of functioning precludes cooperation with the treatment regimen.
- Client is involved in the legal system, manifests psychiatric symptoms, and is ordered
by the court to undergo a comprehensive assessment in a hospital setting to clarify
the diagnosis and treatment needs.
<<back
to top>>
N. PSYCHIATRIC - Treatment
Medicaid Recipient Age 21 and Over/Acute Care Hospital
- Suicide precautions, unit restrictions, and continual observation and limiting of
behavior to protect self or others
- Active intervention with psychiatric team to prevent assaultive behavior
- Intensive treatment with medications for delirium tremens
- Alcohol detoxification
- Drug detoxification (modification of medications for a period of less than one week)
- Parenteral neuroleptics
- Active management with psychotropic drugs
- Electroconvulsant therapy
- Comprehensive therapy plan requiring close supervision because of concomitant medical
conditions
- Chemical restraints (immobile)
- Physical restraints (immobile)
- Initiation of lithium or other mood stabilizing drug treatment
- Institution of psychotropic medication to manage severe depressive symptoms, thought
disorders or disruptive symptoms of other organic brain disorders
Medicaid Recipient Under Age 21/Freestanding Psychiatric and Acute Care Hospitals
For treatment criteria to be met, all of the following bulleted conditions must be
met, and at least one of the numbered criteria must be met:
- Active supervision by a psychiatrist
- Implementation of an individualized treatment plan
- Provision of services which can reasonably be expected to improve the client's
condition or prevent further regression so that a lesser level of care can be implemented
- Suicide, homicide, assault, or self-abuse precautions with unit restriction and
continual observation to limit behavior and protect self or others. Clients requiring
this treatment must not be on unit or independent passes without close observation
or hospital staff escort.
- Active intervention by the psychiatric team to prevent any at-risk behaviors (i.e.,
behavior modification).
- Crisis stabilization with intensive individual, family, group therapy, and/or appropriate
medications.
- Complex diagnostic evaluation including psychiatric and neurological or medical
work-up.
- Alcohol and/or drug detoxification (modification of medications for a period of
less than a week).
- Parenteral anti-psychotic medications.
- Active management with psychotropic drugs (refer if no modification of drug or change
in patient condition within six calendar days).
- Electroconvulsive therapy.
- Comprehensive therapy plan requiring close supervision because of concomitant medical
conditions.
- Chemical restraints (immobile).
- Physical restraints (immobile).
- Initiation of Lithium or other mood stabilizing drug treatment.
- Dual treatment tracks (substance abuse and psychiatric illness).
- Medical observation, supervision, and intensive treatment for severe eating disorders,
including individual, group, family therapy, and close observation during and after
meals.
<<back
to top>>
N. PSYCHIATRIC - Discharge Screens
- Documented evidence of no further improvement in 10 days
- Adequate alternative placement arranged
- Documentation that patient is no longer suicidal or a threat to others
<<back
to top>>
Laboratory-blood
- Absolute granulocyte count < 1,000 µ/L or > 50,000 µ/L
- Positive blood culture
Physical findings
- Significant weight loss with serum albumin < 2.6 g/dL
- Documentation of unsuccessful outpatient management of severe side effects (intractable
nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhea, GI bleeding, adynamic ileus, megacolon or stomatitis)
associated with previous administration of chemotherapeutic agents
Other
- Documentation of malignancy with symptomatology requiring treatment that can only
be provided in an acute-care setting (e.g., superior vena cava syndrome, cord compression,
hypercalcemia, increased intracranial pressure)
- Extravasation of vascular access
- Clotted vascular access
- Documentation of malignancy and admitted for treatment requiring hospitalization
<<back
to top>>
O. ONCOLOGY - Treatment
Medications
- Initiation or adjustment of high-dose pain medications
Cancer chemotherapeutic agents
- Induction chemotherapy with administration of chemotherapeutic agents in a patient
with comorbidities who is not able to tolerate it on an outpatient basis
- Induction or high dose consolidation chemotherapy for acute myelogenous or lymphocytic
leukemia
- High dose salvage chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease
- Chemotherapeutic agents requiring pre- or post-treatment hydration, including frequent
supportive measures or medications, with a total infusion time of > 16 hours
(Frequent supportive measures include IV antiemetic, steroids, diuretics, foley
catheter, measuring of urine output or PH, monitoring vital signs)
- Intra-arterial infusion or intrathecal infusion that require monitoring or supportive
care
- Administration of chemotherapeutic medications, or combinations of medications,
e.g., Aldesleukin (IL2); ifosfamide (IFEX), or high dose methotrexate (> 200
mg/M2) that require special monitoring or observation
Radiation therapeutic agents
- Emergency radiation therapy, especially for expanding brain tumors, superior vena
cava obstruction, spinal cord compression, and acute obstructive phenomenon of other
vital organs
- Radiation therapy with intravenous chemotherapy
- Brachytherapy radiation
- * Gamma knife treatment
- * Stereotactic radiation delivery
- Parenteral/oral/intraperitoneal radioactive treatment administration
Procedures
- Stem cell rescue if patient condition requires isolation
- Bone marrow transplant if patient condition requires isolation
Treatments
- Initiation of hyperalimentation
Other
- Removal of infected subclavian catheter or other venous access catheters and instillation
of IV antibiotics or removal of catheter associated with subclavian/axillary clot
or instillation of IV thrombolytic
<<back
to top>>
O. ONCOLOGY - Discharge Screens
Patient education
- Patient and/or family competent for care, patient having received maximum benefits
of education in hospital
Functional
- Prescribed diet tolerated for last 12 hours prior to discharge without nausea/vomiting,
or appropriate arrangements made to address nutritional support in an alternative
care setting
- Optimal pain control
- Discharged to hospice or other appropriate care setting based on level of care required
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
<<back
to top>>
Radiology
- Pneumothorax
- Hemothorax
- Air in mediastinum
- Foreign body in respiratory tree
- Pulmonary edema
Radiologic evidence-To use criteria 06-11, there must be at least one physical finding
present, see elements 15-25
- Pleural effusion
- Lung abscess
- Infiltrate
- Unilateral high diaphragm
- Cavitation
- Mediastinal shift and/or widening
Scanning
- Embolus
- Acute infarct
- Filling defect
Physical findings (within the last 24 hours)
- Dyspnea with significant stridor
- Use of accessory muscles for breathing Pediatric: grunting flaring, retractions
- Chest pain, pleuritic type
- Respiratory rate > 30 per minute or < 10 per minute
- Hemoptysis
- Costovertebral and costochondral range of motion restriction reducing inhalation
and exhalation capacity
- Altered level of consciousness in patients with COPD
- Cyanosis
- Intractable wheezing
- Intractable cough
- Orthopnea
Pediatric:
- Suspected apnea (> 20 seconds in infants 0-1 year)
- Central cyanosis
- Hypoventilation
Laboratory findings
- PaO2 < 55 mmHg
- PaO2 < 70 mmHg on supplemental oxygen
- Oxygen saturation < 88%
- Oxygen saturation < 85% in patients with COPD on supplemental oxygen
- PaCO2 > 50 mmHg (associated with a pH of < 7.3) or PaCO2< 30 mmHg
- pH Adult: < 7.30 or > 7.55
Pediatric: < 7.30 or > 7.50
Other
- Physician documentation of "worsening hypoxemia and hypercapnia" with symptoms (dyspnea,
decreased activity) and documented failure of outpatient treatment
- Closure of pleural drainage tracts
- Inhalation burns with O2 Saturation < 93%
<<back
to top>>
P. RESPIRATORY/CHEST - Treatment
Procedures
- * Chest surgery
- * Mediastinoscopy
- * Bronchoscopy with forced expiratory volume (FEV), < 1.0 L or abnormal blood
gases
- * Closed thoracostomy with drainage (chest tube)
- * Bronchoscopy with Wang needle aspirate
- * Needle biopsy of lung
- * Thoracentesis with pleural biopsy
- * Thoracoscopy
- * Lung abscess drainage
Treatment
- Acute ventilator therapy (excludes ventilator dependence)
- Endotracheal suctioning and/or lavage
- Chest tube drainage
- Isolation (respiratory)--requires private room (or ward for specific organism),
mask, hand washing on entering and leaving room
- * Croup tent
- Therapy of tuberculosis when one of the following is documented:
- Drug resistance
- Demonstrated drug intolerance or toxicity
- Documentation of alcoholism, vagrancy, emotional or intellectual dysfunction, which
predisposes to non-compliance with therapy
- Documented non-compliance with outpatient treatment
- Parenteral administration of corticosteroid, theophylline preparations, or antibiotics
based on documented indications.
- Anticoagulant therapy (either a or b)
- Initial treatment
- Stabilization of dose requiring daily prothrobin time (PT) or INR
- Chest physical therapy (CPT) four times a day
- Aerosolized nebulizer treatments provided by respiratory therapy with bronchodialators,
mycolytics, or steroids at least every four hours
Pediatric:
- * Supplemental oxygen requirement
Monitoring
- * Continuous pulse oximetry or periodic pulse oximetry checks every four hours
- Arterial line monitoring of arterial blood gases (ABGs)
<<back
to top>>
P. RESPIRATORY/CHEST - Discharge Screens
- Patient or significant other able to clean and care for tracheostomy
- Patient or significant other able to administer medical gases
- Blood gases improved and stabilized for 12 hours
- Availability of necessary home therapy
- Physician's progress notes reflect clinical improvement in respiratory status
- Prothrombin time controlled or plans for follow-up as outpatient
*Physician documentation must substantiate the need for greater than twenty-four
hours monitoring, treatment, and/or observation post procedure.
<<back
to top>>
Physical findings
- Acute invasive infectious process, such as cellulitis or lymphadenitis
- Loss or damage of skin > 10% of body surface (new diagnosis - within the past
24 hours)
- Necrosis of skin/subcutaneous tissue (identified within last 24 hours)
- Unexplained breast mass or nipple deformity requiring surgical treatment
- Decubitus ulcers (a or b)
- Chronic - documentation of unsuccessful outpatient treatment
- Necrotic ulcer(s) involving deep muscle and bone (stage 3 or 4) or infected ulcer(s)
- Hemorrhagic lesions
Onset of complications of auto-immune disease (see elements 7-11):
- Petechial or eccymotic purpura with unknown etiology that is progressive with
fever >100° F
- Sepsis
- Platelets < 40,000/mm3
- Hemoglobinuria
- Hemoglobin < 9 g/dL
- Snake bite involving envenomization
- Contractures, limiting function and admitted for surgical release
- First degree burn:
Pediatric: First degree burn involving 25% of body
- Second degree burn:
Adult: Second degree burn involving 25% or more of the total surface area of the
perineum, hand, face, or foot, or a second degree burn of any body part involving
> 20% of the total body area
Pediatric: Second degree burn involving 15% of body, or involving the airway (e.g.,
head, neck, nose or mouth)
- Third degree burn:
Adult: Any third degree burn involving more than 10% of the body surface area or
any third degree burn of the perineum, hand, nose, mouth, face or foot
Pediatric: Any third degree burn involving 5% or more of body, or involving the
airway
<<back
to top>>
Q. SKIN/CONNECTIVE TISSUE - Treatment
Procedures
- Large wound debridement
- Large area of skin grafting
Treatment
- Surface burn therapy requiring administration by trained personnel
- Isolation/reverse isolation--requiring private room, gown, glove, mask, and hand
washing on entering and leaving the room
- Intense topical treatment or skin care at least 2 times a day, requiring hospital
personnel (e.g., hyperbaric chamber treatment)
- Parenteral fluid/electrolyte replacement in burn patient
<<back
to top>>
Q. SKIN/CONNECTIVE TISSUE - Discharge Screens
- Electrolytes within acceptable range for last 24 hours
- No substantial bleeding, no substantial increase in drainage, or no purulent drainage
- Vital signs normal for age for 24 hours prior to discharge
- Post grafting satisfactory burn wound coverage
<<back
to top>>
Laboratory-blood
- Acute elevation of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) > 40 mg/dL and creatinine > 1.8
mg/dL
Physical findings
- 02. Urinary output
Adult: < 20 cc/hr or 400 cc/24 hours
Pediatric: anuria or oliguria < 1 ml/kg/hr
or polyuria > 9 ml/kg/hr
- Persistent, unexplained, or gross hematuria
- Suspected or documented stone or obstruction with one of the following symptoms:
- Documented pain
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Bleeding
- Acute onset of obstruction with hydronephrosis
- Acute inability to void/urinary obstruction
- Urine leakage into vagina, rectum, or colon
- Extravasation into peritoneal cavity, pelvis, or retro-peritoneum
- Penetrating wound or other trauma to urinary tract system
- Urinary tract infection with systemic symptoms (e.g., vomiting, chills, fever, pain,
or pyuria despite antibiotic treatment for 3 days)
- Post renal transplant with decreased urinary output, weight gain, or significant
changes in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or creatinine
- Complications of dialysis--infected access, pericarditis, metabolic bone disease,
neuropathy, encephalopathy
- Renal transplantation complications of rejection crisis, hypertension, infection
Pediatric:
- Abdominal wall defect of genitourinary tract
Radiology
- Blockage of ureter or renal pelvis
- Newly diagnosed tumor or admitted for definitive treatment of a previously diagnosed
tumor
- Renal mass lesion (except asymptomatic cyst)
- Obstructed or non-visualized kidney
Other
- End stage renal disease patient admitted for placement of peritoneal catheter
- Chronic renal failure with bleeding (e.g., nasal, gastrointestinal)
- Renal transplant donor
- Pre-op preparation for kidney transplantation (only applies when prep and transplant
are performed in same admission)
- End stage renal disease patient admitted for initial course of dialysis
<<back
to top>>
R. URINARY/RENAL SYSTEM - Treatment
Medications
- Parenteral analgesic medications based on documented indications
- Parenteral medications for treatment of renal dysfunction based on documented indications
Procedures
- Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in face of a solitary kidney
- Kidney transplant
- Percutaneous nephrostomy
Pediatric:
- Renal arteriogram
- Renal biopsy
Treatment
- Initial course of renal dialysis or peritoneal dialysis
<<back
to top>>
R. URINARY/RENAL SYSTEM - Discharge Screens
- Voiding or draining urine without difficulty for the last 12 hours, or arrangements
have been made for voiding or urinary drainage, hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory
peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)
- Parenteral analgesic administration not to exceed one dose within three hours prior
to discharge, excluding patients expected to require regular analgesic administration
for a persistent condition
- No unexplained gross hematuria
- Return of baseline renal function
<<back
to top>>
Physical
Must meet one element from Part I or Part II AND one element from Part III
- Inability to function independently as demonstrated by meeting one element from
01., 02., or 03. with the potential for significant practical improvement as measured
against his/her condition prior to rehabilitation.
- Activities of daily living (any one of)
- Feeding
- Personal hygiene
- Dressing
- Mobility (any one of)
- Transfers
- Wheelchair mobility
- Ambulation
- Stair climbing
- Communicative/cognitive (must be accompanied by either element a. or b.).
- Aphasia with major receptive and/or expressive components
- Cognitive dysfunction (e.g., attention span, confusion, memory, intelligence)
- Perceptual motor dysfunction area (e.g., spatial orientation, visual-motor, depth
and distance perception)
OR
- Somatic dysfunction
- Somatic dysfunction which significantly impairs the individual's efficiency of performance
(e.g., spasticity, incoordination, paresis, bowel and bladder dysfunction, gait
disturbance, dysarthria, dyskinesia)
AND
- Comprehensive rehabilitation status (any one of)
- Has had no previous comprehensive rehabilitation effort, or previous rehabilitative
efforts for the same condition showed little or no improvement, but because of an
intervening circumstance rehabilitation is now considered reasonable
- Previously has been unable to attain rehabilitation goals which are currently considered
attainable because of techniques or technology not previously available to the patient--this
may include previous trial of outpatient therapy with unsatisfactory response
- Has lost previous level of attained functional independence due to complication(s)
or intercurrent illness and reattainment of functional independence currently is
feasible
- The patient is medically stable but has complications which require special care
during rehabilitation goals or attainment of goals
- Documented objective evidence of a significant change in the patient's function
requiring a planned evaluation of re-evaluation of rehabilitation goals or attainment
of goals
<<back
to top>>
S. PHYSICAL REHABILITATION - Treatment
Physical
Rehabilitation program must include medical management by a physician and a rehabilitation
nurse plus the provision of at least one of the following services for minimum of
three hours per day and no less than five days a week:
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Speech/language pathology services and/or prosthetic/orthotic services (must be
a combination of these two services or one in conjunction with OT or PT)
AND
Evidence of periodic multidisciplinary rehabilitation team review at least every
two weeks with documentation of progress and recommendation for continuing rehabilitation
program
<<back
to top>>
S. PHYSICAL REHABILITATION - Discharge Screens
- Maximum functional achievement through inpatient comprehensive rehabilitation as
determined by rehabilitation team (patient has met current assessed goals)
- Failure after adequate trial (documented by at least two consecutive rehabilitation
team reviews, or after two weeks, whichever is shorter) to make progress toward
remaining treatment goals
- Development of serious complication(s), persisting longer than three days, requiring
another level of care
- Services being provided can be provided on an outpatient basis or at a lower level
of care.
<<back
to top>>
GENERIC QUALITY SCREENS
CMS: ACUTE CARE/HOSPITAL INPATIENT
- Adequacy of discharge planning-No documentation of discharge planning or appropriate
follow-up care with consideration of physical, emotional and mental status needs
at time of discharge.
- Medical stability of the patient
- * Blood pressure (BP) within 24 hours of discharge (systolic less than 85
mmHg or > 180; diastolic < 50 mmHg or > 110 mmHg)
- * Temperature within 24 hours of discharge > 101° F (38.3° C) oral,
> 102 ° F (38.9° C) rectal
- * Pulse < 50 (or 45 if the patient is on a beta blocker), or > 120 within
24 hours of discharge
- Abnormal diagnostic findings which are not addressed and resolved or where the record
does not explain why they are not resolved
- * IV fluids or drugs after 12 midnight on day of discharge
- * Purulent or bloody drainage of wound or open area within 24 hours
prior to discharge
- Deaths
- During or following any surgery performed during the current admission
- Following return to intensive care unit, coronary care or other special care unit
within 24 hours of being transferred out
- Other unexpected death
- * Bacteremia confirmed by positive blood culture
- * Unscheduled return to surgery-Within same admission for same condition as
previous surgery or to correct operative problem
- Trauma suffered in hospital
- Unplanned surgery which includes, but is not limited to, removal or repair of a
normal organ or body part (i.e., surgery not addressed specifically in the operative
consent)
- Fall
- Serious complications of anesthesia
- Any transfusion error or serious transfusion reaction
- Hospital acquired decubitus ulcer and/or deterioration of an existing decubitus
- Medication error or adverse drug reaction: (1) with serious potential for harm or
(2) resulting in measures to correct
- Care or lack of care which resulted, or could have resulted in a potentially serious
complication
- Medication or treatment changes (including discontinuation) within 24 hours of discharge
without adequate observation
NOTE: See CMS Generic Quality Screens-Acute Care/Hospital Inpatient Care Guidelines
for application of the screens.
* Indicates screens that are also applicable for psychiatric and long-term facility
review
<<back
to top>>
CMS: ACUTE CARE/HOSPITAL INPATIENT GUIDELINES
ELEMENTS |
EXCLUSIONS |
EXPLANATORY NOTES |
1. Adequacy of discharge planning-No documentation of discharge planning
or appropriate follow-up care with consideration of physical, emotional and mental
status needs at time of discharge |
Death; transfer to an acute, short-term, general hospital or swing bed status; patient
left AMA; inpatient psychiatric case
|
Discharge planning is appropriate for all patients. Discharge planning is a generic
term which covers a range of care from the simple to the complex. The plan should
be developed timely, as defined by the patient's needs, and must meet these needs
at time of discharge. The plan should reflect appropriate transition of care, identify
additional resources needed, and provide appropriate teaching or transmission of
pertinent information. Documentation must be present which addresses the following
elements of a discharge plan:
A needs assessment;
Development of plan
Initiation of appropriate arrangements and obtaining appropriate resources to ensure
smooth transition to post-hospital level of care. A screen failure occurs when a
discharge plan is not documented. A confirmed problem occurs when the patient had
needs which were not met. |
2. Medical stability of patient
2a. Blood pressure (BP) within 24 hours of discharge (systolic < 85 mmHg
or > 180 mmHg; diastolic < 50 mmHg or > 110 mmHg)
|
Death; transfer to an acute, short-term, general hospital; patient left AMA
|
This entire category (medical stability of patient) identifies aberrant clinical
data which has not been recognized or which has been inadequately treated during
the hospitalization. A single abnormal vital sign or laboratory result may be in
error. Therefore, serial determinations should be sought. Where serial determinations
are not available, corroborating evidence of clinical instability should be identified.
There should be evidence in the medical record that action was taken to address
the problem prior to discharge. A screen failure is defined as more than one abnormal
reading within 24 hours of discharge where a subsequent normal reading is not documented. |
2b. Temperature within 24 hours of discharge > 101° F (38.3°C) oral, >
102° F (38.9°C) rectal |
Death; transfer to an acute, short-term, general hospital; patient left AMA
|
Same as 2.a. |
2c. Pulse < 50 (or 45 if the patient is on a beta blocker), or > 120
within 24 hours of discharge |
Death; transfer to an acute, short-term, general hospital; patient left AMA
|
Same as 2.a. |
2d. Abnormal diagnostic findings which are not addressed and resolved, or
where the record does not explain why they are not resolved |
Inpatient psychiatric case
|
Abnormal findings are defined as those results which fall outside of normal or acceptable
limits for the test or physical findings as defined by the laboratory or facility
performing the test.Abnormal test results or physical findings would not be identified
as an occurrence (screen failure) if the medical record indicated acknowledgment
of the abnormal test result or physical finding and documented appropriate and timely
therapeutic intervention prior to the patient's discharge. The following examples,
if identified in the medical record, would not be considered a confirmed problem:
- Medical condition or treatment for same explains abnormal values (e.g., patient
with known cancer of liver has elevated SGOT).
- Patient refuses medical treatment (e.g., Jehovah Witness)
- Treatment begun in hospital will continue as outpatient or follow-up as outpatient.
(Lab value should be within discharge screen criteria.)
- Minimum elevated values which are not clinically significant (as with glucose, cholesterol)
- Death before abnormal finding could be addressed
- Patient left AMA before abnormal finding could be addressed
|
2.e. IV fluids or drugs after 12 midnight on day of discharge |
Death; transfer to an acute, short-term, general hospital or Medicare-covered SNF;
patient left AMA; KVOs; antibiotics; chemotherapy; total parenteral nutrition; heparin
given to maintain a heparin lock
|
None |
2f. Purulent or bloody drainage of wound or open area within 24 hours prior
to discharge |
Transfer to an acute, short term, general hospital; death; patient left AMA
|
This element is defined as an adverse change in the healing of a wound or open area.
Screen failures would include, but not be limited to, drainage that has significantly
increased or decreased within 24 hours prior to discharge. A confirmed problem would
be reported if it was medically inappropriate to discharge the patient with this
degree of drainage. |
3. Deaths
3a. During or following any surgery performed during the current admission
|
Inpatient psychiatric case
|
Confirmed problem would be recorded for any intraoperative or postoperative death
if such death resulted from inadequate preoperative assessment, inadequate postoperative
care, or improper procedures which resulted in surgical or anesthesia complications. |
3b. Following return to intensive care unit, coronary care, or other special
care unit within 24 hours of being transferred out |
Inpatient psychiatric case
|
None |
3c. Other unexpected death |
Inpatient psychiatric case
|
Unexpected death is defined as death occurring when there had been a reasonable
expectation on admission that the patient would recover (i.e., where there was no
documented expectation of possible death). |
4. Bacteremia confirmed by positive culture |
The following organisms when isolated from a single culture:
- Coagulase-negative staphylococcus
- Corynebacteria
- Propionibacteria
- Bacillus Species
- Diphtheroids
Those excluded organisms can be considered clinically important (i.e., the screen
would be failed) when the same organism is grown from two or more blood cultures
obtained from different vascular access sites
|
Identify those cases where a positive blood culture is not correctly treated. The
proper diagnosis of the infection should be addressed in Screen 6.g., and the diagnosis
and treatment of all other infections, nosocomial or community-acquired,
are to be reviewed against Screens 2.d. and 6.g. The progress notes should contain
reference to the positive blood culture(s). A screen failure occurs when the patient
is not receiving an antibiotic to which the organism is sensitive. A screen failure
is not necessarily a confirmed problem. The drug shall be ordered within 24 hours
of the time when the final sensitivity is available in the lab. Exceptions include:
- When bacteremia is associated with meningitis, the antibiotic chosen would penetrate
the blood-brain barrier (see Antibiotic Families)
- The patient should not receive an antibiotic to which he/she is allergic.
For device associated bacteremia, where the device is removed promptly, therapy
may not be indicated. In both instances this decision should be documented in the
patient record.
|
5. Unscheduled return to surgery within the same admission for the same condition
as previous surgery or to correct operative problem |
"Staged" procedures
|
"Unscheduled surgery" is defined as an unexpected return to surgery and is not limited
to the procedure being performed in the operating suite. Example: Surgical repair
of a wound separation performed in a patient's room is considered an unscheduled
return to surgery. |
6. Trauma suffered in hospital
6a. Unplanned surgery which includes, but is not limited to, removal or repair
of a normal organ or body part (i.e., surgery not addressed specifically in the
operative consent)
|
None
|
None |
6b. Fall |
Inpatient psychiatric case
|
"Falls" are the key to failing the screen, not the degree of injury. A fall with
or without injury is a quality concern. The concern may be due to the hospital's
negligence or to the injury incurred by the patient. A screen failure exists if
a fall occurred. A confirmed problem exists if the fall was avoidable. A confirmed
problem also exists if the fall was not properly followed up whether or not the
fall was avoidable. |
6c. Serious complications of anesthesia |
None
|
This is defined as complications related only to anesthesia. (This would not include
problems resulting from the surgical procedure). Serious complications would include
any condition which increases the patient's morbidity or possibility of mortality,
or results in an increased length of stay or the use of special equipment to support
the patient during recovery from the complication. Anesthesia complications would
include but are not limited to:
General anesthesia:
- Anoxia
- Laryngospasm
- Anaphylaxis
- Aspiration with pulmonary complications
- Unplanned retained foreign body
- Reintubation within 24 hours of extubation
- Seizures occurring intra-operatively or within 24 hours post-op
Spinal anesthesia:
- Indications of paralysis or paresis present at discharge
|
6d. Any transfusion error or serious transfusion reaction |
None
|
Transfusion error or serious reaction would include administration of incompatible
blood products or any reaction that was unrecognized and untreated which, for example,
resulted in signs or symptoms of hemolysis, severe circulatory overload, anaphylactic
reactions, coagulation complications, hepatitis, renal failure, or cardiac arrest. |
6e. Hospital acquired decubitus ulcer or deterioration of an existing decubitus |
Readmission for treatment of decubitus ulcer acquired previously.
|
Decubitus ulcer is defined as a break in the skin, regardless of the size and depth,
caused by prolonged pressure over a pressure point. |
6f. Medication error or adverse drug reaction with serious potential for
harm or resulting in measures to correct |
Inpatient psychiatric case
|
Examine the process as well as the outcome. The following are examples of errors
which may have a potential for harm or result in actual harm:
- Incorrect antibiotic ordered by the physician (e.g., inconsistent with diagnostic
studies or the patient's history of drug allergy)
- No diagnostic studies to confirm which drug is correct to administer (e.g., culture
and sensitivity; C&S)
- Serum drug levels not performed as needed
- Diagnostic studies or other measures for side effects not performed as needed (e.g.,
renal function tests and intake and output; I&O; for patients on aminoglycosides)
- Measures to correct include, but are not limited to, intubation, cardiopulmonary
resuscitation, gastric lavage, dialysis, or medications.
|
6g. Care or lack of care which resulted in or could have resulted in a potentially
serious complication |
Inpatient psychiatric case
|
Care or lack of care is defined as inappropriate or untimely assessment, intervention,
and/or management. |
7. Medication or treatment changes (including discontinuation) within 24 hours of
discharge without adequate observation |
None
|
None |