Hydration Services: Order Required?

kay.larsen@ah.orgkay.larsen@ah.org
in GENERAL
For hydration services, does a physician need to enter an order that specifically says hydration or is the order for the medication that is given for hydration sufficient?

Comments

  • BaxtertroutBaxtertrout
    edited September 2018
    I may not understand the question but let me give my two cents. A hydration service for a condition like dehydration requires an order.  If the hydration fluid such as NS is running along with a therapeutic medication it should be part of the written protocol and no separate order would be required but the NS can't be billed either.  If the NS or other hydration substance is given beyond what is needed per protocol then yes, get an order.  It should be medically necessary, tied to a diagnosis coded (the reason documented) and billable. 
  • kay.larsen@ah.orgkay.larsen@ah.org
    Yes, that's what I needed!  We have the order for the drug but no order for the hydration service.  Thanks!
  • JKYLES@DECISIONHEALTH.COMJKYLES@DECISIONHEALTH.COM
    Good answer.
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