National Volunteer Week with HIA
Left, top to bottom: Hope Arriaza, Pat Maccariella-Hafey, Patti Salizzoni; Right, top to bottom: Kim Harrison, Angie Christen, Amanda Roeschke
Happy National Volunteer Week! This week we celebrate the impact volunteer work has on building stronger communities. We know that our staff have a positive impact while they’re on the job, and we are proud to share a few ways our #PeopleBehindTheNumbers are taking time to volunteer in their own local communities.
Hope Arriaza volunteers as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), advocating for abused and neglected children’s best interest in court.
Angie Christen has been volunteering at her church, Precious Blood of Christ, for the past 9 years, writing the church newsletter.
Pat Maccariella-Hafey volunteered mucking out a house in Socastee with Samaritan’s Purse. Many homes were destroyed in our area by the resulting floods from the Waccamaw River after Hurricane Florence went through the coast of SC. Pat Mac plans to volunteer on another de-mucking soon.
Photo courtesy Pat Maccariella-Hafey
Photo courtesy Pat Maccariella-Hafey
Patti Salizzoni has been volunteering at Barnabas Horse Foundation for years. She loves volunteering here and learning more about horses and how they can help humans heal. She has loved horses since she was 3 years old. Working with horse has taught her a lot about herself and has helped her heal after the death of her husband, Jeff. The Barnabas Horse Foundation encourages hope and healing through fellowship with horses.
“Horses truly help humans heal from tragic events in their lives by connecting with them in a very wonderful way.” – Patti.
Photo courtesy Patti Salizzoni
Photo courtesy Patti Salizzoni
Kim Harrison has been volunteering with the Society of St. Andrew’s gleaning program. She has gleaned in sweet potatoes in Texas, berries in Tennessee, and most recently, tomatoes in North Carolina! There are networks in many states across the US. This is a great project for families, youth projects, etc.
“They do awesome work. We glean fields where crops would have just gone to waste and deliver it to local food pantries, shelters, etc. I wish I could volunteer more often!” –Kim
Amanda Roeschke volunteers as a Sunday School teacher for Sunday morning church service. She works with the 3-5 year olds. “I enjoy the chaos, honesty and all out fun we have for an hour every weekend. We sing, have a snack, share a story and do a craft! My favorite part of the weekend! “ – Amanda
Amanda also volunteers with the Anchor program, which is part of Christian Surfers, on Wednesday nights. This program watches over elementary school kids while their parents have time for their small group study. Finally, Amanda also helps handing out packets for Spring Fling 17, a local surf contest.
Photo courtesy Amanda Roeschke
Photo courtesy Amanda Roeschke
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Coding Tip: Cardiac Arrest and Cardiac Shock
In the past, there had been an Excludes1 note at I46.- Cardiac arrest that excluded R57.0, Cardiac shock. HIA had also received a letter from AHA on a case in the past that had stated that only I46.- Cardiac arrest would be coded if both were documented. In addition, the Third Quarter Coding Clinic page 26 had a similar case that asked if both could be coded, and AHA had instructed that only I46.9, cardiac arrest, cause unspecified would be coded if both were documented and that the CDC would be looking at possible revision to the Excludes1 note.
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A higher CMI corresponds to increased consumption of resources and increased cost of patient care, resulting in increased reimbursement to the facility from government and private payers, like CMS. We know that documentation directly impacts coding.
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Lately we have seen several cases where the endarterectomy was assigned along with the coronary artery bypass (CABG) procedure when being performed on the same vessel to facilitate the CABG. A coronary artery endarterectomy is not always performed during a CABG procedure, so when it is performed it becomes confusing as to whether to code it separately or not.
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