Coding of hidradenitis suppurativa for patients requiring pain treatment for disease exacerbations in the emergency department

Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) experience chronic inflammation of the skin with disease exacerbations associated with increased pain, which may necessitate acute treatment. During such exacerbations, patients with HS often present to the emergency department (ED). However, it is unknown if the disease is correctly identified and coded by health care professionals in the ED. A retrospective, single center institutional board review approved chart review of patients who had at least one diagnosis code for “hidradenitis suppurativa” at any time and who received treatment with analgesics for HS-related complications at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) ED at any time between 2000 and 2017 was performed.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Source Type: research