Myocardial Infarction Part 2 - Diagnosis and Treatment
Instructor
Beth Martilik, MA, RHIA, CDIP, CCSDescription
Delve into the critical aspects of diagnosing and treating myocardial infarctions (heart attacks). Building upon the foundation laid in Part 1, this course provides a comprehensive understanding of the diagnostic tools employed by physicians, including the intricacies of interpreting electrocardiograms (EKG/ECG) and the significance of cardiac biomarkers such as troponins, myoglobin, and creatinine kinase. Additionally, participants will explore treatment modalities, distinguishing between STEMI and NSTEMI cases and learning about thrombolysis, percutaneous coronary intervention, and long-term medication management.
**Pre-requisite for this course is Myocardial Infarctions Part 1.
Included Lessons:
- Diagnosing Myocardial Infarction
- Treatment of Myocardial Infarction
Key Takeaways
Completing this course will empower medical coders with the specialized knowledge and skills required to navigate the complexities of myocardial infarctions within the healthcare system, making them valuable assets in the healthcare industry. Some key takeaways of this course include:
- In-depth Understanding of Myocardial Infarctions: Coders will acquire a comprehensive understanding of myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), including their causes, symptoms, and the critical role they play in the field of cardiology.
- Diagnostic Proficiency: Participants will gain proficiency in interpreting electrocardiograms (EKG/ECG), allowing them to identify key waveforms and patterns associated with myocardial infarctions. They will also learn how to determine the approximate location and coronary artery involvement based on EKG findings.
- Biomarker Knowledge: Coders will become familiar with cardiac biomarkers such as troponins, myoglobin, and creatinine kinase, understanding their significance in diagnosing myocardial infarctions and how these markers can help assess the extent of heart muscle damage.
- Treatment Modalities: Participants will learn about the various treatment modalities for myocardial infarctions, including thrombolysis, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and the administration of medications like aspirin, nitroglycerin, beta-blockers, statins, ACE inhibitors, and nitrates.
- Distinguishing STEMI and NSTEMI: Coders will be able to differentiate between STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) and NSTEMI (non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) cases, understanding the specific treatment approaches for each.
- Long-term Medication Management: Participants will grasp the importance of long-term medication management for patients post-myocardial infarction, including the use of antiplatelet agents, beta-blockers, statins, ACE inhibitors, and nitrates.
Benefits of Taking this Course
- Enhanced Coding Proficiency
- Improved Diagnostic Interpretation
- In-Depth Cardiac Biomarker Knowledge
- Cardiology Specialization
FAQs
Why is it important for medical coders to understand the diagnosis and treatment of myocardial infarctions?
It is crucial for a medical coder to understand the diagnosis and treatment of myocardial infarctions because accurate coding directly impacts patient care and billing. Proficient coding ensures that healthcare providers receive appropriate reimbursement for the treatment of this life-threatening condition, while also contributing to accurate patient records and clinical outcomes.
What is the role of an EKG in diagnosing myocardial infarctions?
An EKG (Electrocardiogram) provides valuable information about the heart's electrical activity, helping diagnose myocardial infarctions by identifying specific waveforms and changes in the heart's rhythm associated with heart muscle damage.
What distinguishes STEMI from NSTEMI, and why is this differentiation important?
STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) involves complete artery blockage, while NSTEMI (non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) has partial blockage. Differentiating them guides treatment decisions and strategies.
About our Medical Coding Courses
HIAlearn, powered by Health Information Associates (HIA)—a leader in medical coding and auditing for more than three decades—offers a comprehensive online education platform for medical coders. With a catalog of over 200 medical coding courses accepted by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and a selection approved by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), HIAlearn caters to both beginners and experienced medical coders seeking to enhance their skills. The platform provides an array of training plans tailored to meet individual learning needs, from mastering challenging coding procedures to understanding broad conceptual frameworks within the coding world. Courses are available across various coding types including CPT, E/M, ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and are designed to cater to different coder levels and coding specialties such as inpatient, outpatient, profee, and CDI. Additionally, HIAlearn offers a Coding Updates bundle to ensure coders are up-to-date with the annual changes in ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and IPPS. Beyond individual learning, HIAlearn supports organizations with group discounts, promoting enhanced coding accuracy, efficiency, and compliance across teams.
Disclaimer: This course is not available for individual sale. Purchase the Myocardial Infarction Training Plan below and get access to 3 total CEUs.