Coding Brain Injuries - Trauma Registry Tips (September 2022)

Welcome to the Inaugural Edition of Trauma Registry Tips!

Our video presentation is titled: “Trauma Registry Tips: Abstracting Tips for Coding Brain Injuries.”

This presentation begins with a review of how to code a traumatic injury in a simple five (5) step process. This thought process can be applied in all coding for traumatically injured patients. Next, a brief review of brain anatomy and basic functions. Then the presentation moves into six (6) examples of traumatic brain injuries describing the injury, providing some coding tips, and some case studies for review. The six brain injuries covered are:

• Subdural Hematoma (SDH)
• Epidural Hematoma
• Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)
• Cerebral Contusion
• Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)
• Swelling and Edema

Coding and tips are compiled from trauma registry experience, coding guidance, and general information observed in patient charts/documentation.