Deciphering the code: does clinical coding accurately reflect peroperative cataract surgery complication rates?

Clinical coding of surgical procedures in the ophthalmology department

“…Sir, Delayed, rapid visual field loss in a patient after ten years of vigabatrin therapy Vigabatrin is associated with the development of visual field loss (VFL) in 25-50% of patients. 1 VFL is suggested to be stable with continued use of vigabatrin.…”

“…Of the 40 patients who had experienced a surgical complication only 15 were coded accurately. 1 The second reason for the increased focus on accurate clinical coding is the Payment by Results reimbursement scheme. In the past National Health Service (NHS) Trusts were paid according to block contracts or negotiated cost and volume contracts.…”