Hepatic Encephalopathy Update

To better reflect patient acuity when documenting hepatic encephalopathy:

• Include the underlying liver disease
  • The acuity of the underlying liver disease
    • g., acute, subacute, or chronic
  • The etiology of the underlying liver disease
    • g., alcoholic, etc.
  • Include if the patient is in a coma

It is also appropriate to consider if the diagnosis of acute toxic encephalopathy is clinically appropriate when a patient with chronic hepatic encephalopathy develops worsening altered mental status due to the build-up of toxins within the body.

Example of effective documentation that will demonstrate patient acuity and severity:

• Acute toxic encephalopathy complicating chronic hepatic encephalopathy

Download the complete tip, Hepatic Encephalopathy Update.