Pathogens

The pathogens are a list of possible entries that make up the sub-code for diagnoses categorized as Infection.

• Refer to: UPL - Universal Pathogen List, for a list of "bugs" we track.

• The pathogen subcodes are drawn from the S_Pathogens table in CCMDB.mdb.

The 5 day post discharge RULE for Culture report follow up

Follow up all culture reports up to 5 days after discharge from unit. If pathogen is still not available then, enter Unknown Pathogen.

Special Codes

Could someone please fill in specifics about how or when these are to be used? Specifically, if we know specific bugs, are there any that should be coded implicitly even if there are others (ie precedence rules)?

Template:CCMDB Data Integrity Checks

The CCMDB.mdb runs checks for the following:

• no infections without pathogens
• no non-infections with pathogens

For details, see the coding in Access.

Discussion

• At the Vic, sputum and urine cultures are rarely ordered. Even when pathogen is unknown, antibiotic course is started and completed. A +ve urinalysis or infiltrates on CXR and other UTI or pneumonic infectious process symptoms are sufficient enough reasons to treat. This makes sense for N5 and S5 when admissions are generally those of the older adult, with a number from PCHs. Antibiotics are chosen based on likely pathogens, despite absent cultures. I've been coding them as infections. Should I stop? Thanks.
  • Con, could you get a coding consult from Dr. Embil?