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Ask a Rev Cycle Expert: Injections & Infusions In PACU?

Question:

If a patient is admitted for urgent care (example: appendicitis) and goes to the OR for appendectomy, and then they are given antibiotics in the OR and PACU prior to being discharged home, is it okay to code the infusion of antibiotics?

Answer:

Insertion of intravenous (IV) access for medication administration is part of the surgical package, and patient monitoring is a component of the Operating Room (OR) procedure and the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Due to these factors, it would not be appropriate to report the infusion of the antibiotic. You may report the medication.

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