An Analysis of National Variance in Coding for Patellofemoral Instability

Description

In this presentation, Jatin Mistry, a final year medical student at St. George's, discusses his research on patellofemoral instability (PFI)—a prevalent condition treated in UK emergency and knee clinics. He highlights the inconsistent coding practices used across hospitals, which complicate the management and understanding of PFI's epidemiology. Mistry explains how his study involved contacting 132 acute trusts to request the specific ICD-10 and OPCS-4 codes they use for PFI diagnoses and treatments. Despite an 80% response rate, he finds significant variability in coding practices among hospitals, particularly for patellar instability. He underscores the importance of standardization in coding to facilitate better patient identification and treatment outcomes. The presentation concludes by acknowledging the need for improved communication between medical consultants and coding departments, which could enhance consistency in coding practices, ultimately benefiting both research and patient care.

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