ICD-10 Coding of Osteoarthritis

Margaret M. Maley BSN, MS

With just a few months left before the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10) goes into effect, it is time to begin focused, orthopaedic-specific training in earnest. Under ICD-9, most diagnosis codes used by orthopaedic surgeons were in the musculoskeletal section, and categories were numbers from 710 to 739. Injury and poisoning diagnostic categories, including traumatic fractures, were reported with codes that ranged from 800 to 999.

Enhancing the Patient Experience

Improving the delivery of care goes beyond patient satisfaction Patient experience has gained importance with the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Defined as “the sum of all interactions, shaped by an organization’s culture, that influence patient perceptions across the continuum of care,” patient experience goes beyond satisfactory outcomes and “making patients happy.”

Liability under “Good Samaritan” Laws

Eboni Morris

Physicians treating patients are under a duty to provide care that meets certain standards of care. This is due to the fact that physicians have a fiduciary relationship to their patients. But what about physicians who are treating people with whom they have no relationship at all? For example, a physician pulls over at the scene of an accident and, through a sense of civic responsibility, delivers health care. Can that physician then be sued if the injured persons do not survive?

Hope for a National Good Samaritan Law?

Theodore J. Clark, MD

In deciding whether or not to provide care in an emergency—such as those discussed in the article “On Call at 30,000 Feet” (AAOS Now, September 2013)—physicians will inevitably take into account concerns about potential liability. Although the Aviation Medical Assistance Act “and other Good Samaritan laws” (including those covered in this issue’s article on “Liability and Good Samaritan Laws,” page 34) provide some protection, the U.S.

The Orthopaedic Surgeon and Care Coordination

Why should orthopaedists care about coordination of medical care? It is about teamwork which provides efficient and quality care for patients. It can keep referral sources happy and patients coming through the door. Care coordination can optimize patient outcomes with fewer return calls, office visits, or readmissions. For some specialized practices, the cost vs.

Caring for the Professional Athlete

Aloiya R. Earl; David H. Sohn, JD, MD

Team physicians representing professional sports organizations face a complex set of challenges relating to medical liability, litigation, and external pressures. Their patient population includes high-profile athletes performing for big business. Every patient comes with a coach, teammates, management, and fans—and each has an agenda. Every medical decision could potentially end up at the center of media scrutiny.