Question: Reason for not giving Nimodipine within 24 hours

Patient transferred from OSH to this hospital with SAH. No documentation in record as to why Nimodipine was not given within 24 hours. Record from transferring hospital has the following documentation: “The impression is that the patient likely suffered a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and is unlikely to require neurosurgical intervention. The patient will be transferred to DePaul Hospital for further evaluation.” Would this documentation suffice to exclude from CSTK 06?

Answer:

The clinical staff person who answers CSTK measure questions is currently unavailable but will respond to your question as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

ANSWER: Wendy, If the case was assigned an ICD-10-CM Principal Diagnosis Code for SAH as detailed in Appendix A, Table 8.2a, then the case will be included in the CSTK-06 measure population. Diagnosis codes on Table 8.2a are for non-traumatic SAH. Documentation from the OSH that the patient likely suffered a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage will not exclude the case from the measure.

Continue to review the record for other documentation of an acceptable reason. MD/APN/PA or pharmacist documentation of non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) within 24 hours after arrival at your hospital is a stand-alone reason to select 'yes'.

Thank you for your inquiry.