Sample ABLA Query Form

Acute Blood Loss Anemia Query Template

Sample ABLA query form

Documentation in the medical record indicates the following:  

• Diagnosis of Anemia [include type]  
• Drop in Hct/Hgb from______ to____
• Blood transfusion of xxx units  
• GI Bleeding [or other hemorrhage]  
• Other:

Based on your medical judgment, can you further clarify in the progress notes the diagnosis
associated with these findings such as: 

• Acute blood loss anemia  
• Acute hemorrhagic anemia  
• Chronic blood loss anemia  
• Acute on chronic blood loss anemia  
• Iron deficiency anemia  
• Other anemia: (please specify)  
• None of the above / Not applicable

In responding to this request, please exercise your independent professional judgment. The 
fact that a question is asked does not imply that any particular diagnosis is desired or
expected.

Thank you!

Palliative Care Z51.5

Palliative Care

Z51.5 Encounter for Palliative Care Reporting

It is essential when the treating provider documents the patient is receiving palliative care that the coding abstract reflects the assignment of code Z51.5 Encounter for palliative care. This code should be reported within one of the first 8 secondary diagnosis fields to ensure it is reported on the UB-04. There are several statistics gathered for healthcare organizations regarding outcomes and mortality for public reporting. The coding data needs to accurately reflect our patient population for these measures. Included in this alert are resources from Coding Clinic to provide guidance for accurate reporting. If at any time you have a question regarding the appropriate reporting of any diagnosis or procedure please contact your supervisor prior to finalizing the coding abstract for an encounter. 

**Coding Clinic Guidance for Palliative Care Reporting**

Palliative care is an alternative to aggressive treatment for patients who are in the terminal phase of an illness. Care is focused on the management of pain and other symptoms of the disease, which is often more appropriate than aggressive care when a patient is dying of an incurable illness. Code Z51.5 Encounter for palliative care, is used to classify admissions or encounters for comfort care, end-of-life care, hospice care, and terminal care for terminally ill patients. It may be used in any health care setting.

Common terminology providers may use to reference palliative care:  

• Hospice Care  

• End-Of-Life Care 

• Comfort Care  

• Palliative Care  

• Comfort Measures Only (CMO)