The Joint Commission in March unveiled Sentinel Event Alert (SEA) 57, which stresses the role of leadership in developing and sustaining a culture of safety. It goes on to claim that leadership’s failure in this regard contributes to several adverse events, including wrong site surgery and treatment delays. It’s impossible to completely eliminate human and mechanical error completely, the accreditor writes. But leaders can take a role in mitigating and catching these mistakes before they hurt someone.
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Tag Archives: Sentinel
Sentinel event statistics for 2018
The Joint Commission (TJC) has released its full sentinel event data for 2018. Published annually in the March edition of Perspectives, TJC uses these statistics to determine areas of concern for the upcoming year.
CPT for Sentinel Lymph node biopsy
I have seen to use an unlisted code for the "deep" inguinal CPT 38999. I have also read to use 38500 and 38505, or 38525 so I am kind of at a loss as to what direction to go.
Plan for incision was made in the right inguinal region overlying the area of the 2 lymph nodes that had been detected on lymph node mapping. At the site of the greatest counts on the Neoprobe, an incision was made after infiltration into the skin with 0.5% sensorcaine with epinephrine. The incision was carried down through the subcutaneous tissue and through the fascia overlying the lymph nodes. The Neoprobe was used to detect a lymph node and dissection of this lymph node was performed. The lymphatic channels were clipped with Hemoclips. The lymph node was then passed off the sterile field and sent to pathology…the wound was closed in layers using 3-0 vicryl for the deep dermis and 4-0 monocryl for the skin in a running subcuticular fashion.
Provider then goes on to do an excision of a lesion on the right inner thigh.
I would appreciate any help as to what CPT would be correct regarding this type of scenario.
KM
inguinal sentinel lymph node
I am new to coding and need help , can someone please tell me what the code is for inguinal sentinel lymph node biopsy?
Sentinel Event Alert 59: Workplace violence
About 75% of workplace assaults occur in the healthcare and social service sector each year, and healthcare workers are four times more likely than others to take time off because of violence-related injuries. The Joint Commission is the latest healthcare heavy-hitter to call for better protections, announcing the creation of Sentinel Event Alert (SEA) 59, which addresses violence—physical and verbal—against healthcare workers.
Joint Commission: Sentinel events declined again in 2017
The Joint Commission recently released its final sentinel event statistics for 2017. The same medical miscues as last year top the list; however, it seems encouraging that the total number of reported sentinel events declined for a second consecutive year while the proportion of self-reported incidents continued to climb.
sentinel lymph node biopsy followed by lymphadenectomy???
Hello,
i hope someone will help with this, cause i am really confused.
if a sentinel lymph node biopsy was done, sent to pathology lab, the result was positive and the doctor decided to do axillary lymphadenectomy (all in the same session).
how should i code this?
i have two options:
1. code only 38745 (Axillary lymphadenectomy; complete) with 38900 (Intraoperative identification (eg, mapping) of sentinel lymph node(s) includes injection of non-radioactive dye, when performed (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
and not to code the biopsy according to American College of Surgeons
http://bulletin.facs.org/2014/09/fre…reast-surgery/
i used this answer as a reference :
When a total mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy is performed, I obtain a frozen section of the nodes and proceed to dissect the axilla if positive. Can I use multiple codes for this procedure?
This is a modified radical mastectomy (19307) with sentinel node mapping procedure (38900). The axillary node biopsy cannot be reported separately from the axillary dissection.
2. code 38525 (Biopsy or excision of lymph node(s); open, deep axillary node(s)) + 38745 (Axillary lymphadenectomy; complete) with 38900 (Intraoperative identification (eg, mapping) of sentinel lymph node(s) includes injection of non-radioactive dye, when performed (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
according to this article in AAPC:
If the biopsy is performed on the same lesion on which a more extensive procedure is performed, it is separately reportable only if the biopsy is utilized for immediate pathologic diagnosis prior to the more extensive procedure, and the decision to proceed with the more extensive procedure is based on the diagnosis established by the pathologic examination
https://www.aapc.com/blog/27807-codi…ive-procedure/
i would really appreciate your help
Communication breakdown: Sentinel Event Alert calls out bad patient handoffs
In September, The Joint Commission published Sentinel Event Alert 58, warning healthcare organizations about the dangers of inadequate handoff communications.
New suicide risk expectations from Joint Commission in aftermath of sentinel events stats
Review your policies and procedures for treating suicidal patients in general acute inpatient and emergency care areas following newly finalized recommendations from The Joint Commission.