Title: Write an Appeal Letter
Course: HIM 3620 - TAACCCT Grant > Section: Module 10 - CDI Best Practicies

Your facility received an initial DRG validation denial letter from the RAC. The case scenario includes a 75-year-old patient admitted through the Emergency Department for renal failure and COPD exacerbation. The reason for admission is COPD exacerbation. The physician also documented protein-calorie deficiency malnutrition in the discharge summary. The record notes the following clinical indicators for protein-calorie deficiency malnutrition:
1. Patient is 20 percent below usual weight or significant history of weight loss documented
2. Serum albumin < 2.9gm/dL*
3. Overt signs of muscle wasting are present
The RAC suggests that the patient did not have protein-calorie deficiency malnutrition.

Identify a scholarly article on protein-calorie deficiency malnutrition, then write an appeal letter for the case defending the MS DRG for principle diagnosis of COPD exacerbation with protein-calorie deficiency malnutrition. Scholarly articles may be found using Google Scholar at: http://scholar.google.com/.

Use the example appeal letter in chapter 14 on page 248 as a reference.

You may add additional details to the case such as medications, treatments, and such to support your recommendation.