June 25, 2024
I just want to clarify a few questions we have when using hypothermia as a diagnosis. In the guidelines it’s documented as a rectal or core temperature <= 34o C or 93.2 o F.. If the patient presents it’s considered a dx but if unexpected capture as a hospital event. First, If a patient comes in with a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius on admission are we to be coding this as a diagnosis, as it’s an injury in the AIS book that would give you an ISS score? Second, In the below clarification from AAAM it states to not round up or down for a temperature. If a patient has a temperature of 34.7 Celsius on admission is this then a diagnosis or does the temperature have to be 34 or less? What about picking it up as a hospital event 34 or less or can we pickup if the patient has a temperature of 34.2?
Hypothermia that is present on arrival and not related to treatment or sequela is coded. You would capture this as 34 degrees since you are not rounding up or down. Hospital event for hypothermia in the PTOS manual reads less than or equal to 34, so 34.2 would not qualify for a hospital event.
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