Certified Inpatient Coding (CIC) Practice Exam

What does POA indicator W signify?

1. Diagnosis was not present at time of admission

2. Clinically undetermined

3. Exempt from POA Reporting

4. Documentation insufficient to determine if condition was present at the time of inpatient admission

The correct answer is: Clinically undetermined

The POA (Present on Admission) indicator W signifies that the diagnosis was clinically undetermined at the time the patient was admitted. This classification is used when the healthcare providers are unable to determine whether a condition existed before the patient's admission to the hospital. The use of this indicator helps to highlight cases where there is ambiguity in the diagnosis, ensuring that the data reflects situations where definitive conclusions cannot be made. In the context of hospital coding and reporting, accurately indicating the presence or absence of conditions at the time of admission is crucial for various financial and quality metrics, including determining reimbursement rates and assessing hospital performance. When the clinical status is uncertain, coding with the W indicator provides important information for healthcare analytics and facilitates proper understanding of patient care and outcomes.