If the reason for inpatient admission after observation is another condition that is unrelated to the surgery, the coder will assign the unrelated condition that caused the admission as the principal diagnosis.

Question

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The principal diagnosis is defined as the condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for occasioning the admission of the patient to the hospital for care. If the reason for inpatient admission is unrelated to the condition that prompted the observation or surgery, the unrelated condition causing the admission should be coded as the principal diagnosis.

If the Reason for Inpatient Admission After Observation Is Another