FREE CCDS POA and Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HACs) Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient develops a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) on the third day of their hospital stay. What is the correct Present on Admission (POA) indicator for this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

N (No, not present on admission)

Answer

Y (Yes, present on admission)

Answer

U (Unknown, documentation insufficient)

Answer

W (Clinically undetermined)

Question 2

Which of the following conditions is on the CMS list of Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HACs) that can lead to a payment reduction if not POA?

Accepted Answer

Falls and trauma (e.g., fracture) acquired during the stay

Answer

Ventilator-associated pneumonia

Answer

Acute myocardial infarction occurring post-operatively

Answer

Community-acquired pneumonia

Question 3

What is the financial impact to a hospital if a patient acquires a Stage 3 pressure ulcer (a HAC) during their stay?

Accepted Answer

The DRG is paid as if the HAC was not present.

Answer

The hospital receives a quality bonus.

Answer

The entire claim is denied.

Answer

There is no financial impact, it only affects quality scores.

Question 4

A patient is admitted from the emergency department with sepsis. The admission note does not mention acute kidney injury (AKI), but labs drawn in the ED show an elevated creatinine. AKI is first diagnosed on day 2. What is the likely POA status of the AKI?

Accepted Answer

Y (Yes)

Answer

N (No)

Answer

U (Unknown)

Answer

W (Clinically Undetermined)

Question 5

When is it appropriate for a coder to assign the POA indicator 'U' (Unknown)?

Accepted Answer

When the documentation is insufficient to make a determination.

Answer

When the physician documents 'possible' for a diagnosis.

Answer

When a condition develops 24 hours after admission.

Answer

When the physician explicitly writes 'POA unknown' in the chart.

Question 6

What is the primary role of the CDS in ensuring accurate POA assignment?

Accepted Answer

To perform concurrent record review and query for clarification on the timing of diagnoses.

Answer

To assign the final POA indicators on the claim form.

Answer

To tell the physician which POA indicator to document.

Answer

To diagnose conditions that were present on admission but missed by the physician.

A patient develops a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) on the third day of their hospital stay.What is the correct Present on Admission (POA) indicator for this diagnosis?

A patient develops a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) on the third day of their hospital stay.
What is the correct Present on Admission (POA) indicator for this diagnosis?