Real-Life Math
Medical coders don't use extensive math while working. They don't need to calculate dosages or medication times.
But medical coders do need to be aware of these procedures so that they can apply the proper codes to each of the supplies used and procedures performed. Being aware of recommended doses and procedures for diseases can also help a medical coder detect mistaken and even fraudulent claims.
"Math skills aren't particularly important in this work," says Shirley Davis. She is a professor of health information management and medical coding. "It isn't a skill that is often used while they work. Reading and writing skills are much more important."
As you go through a pile of medical records this morning, you find many diagnoses that require barium X-rays. These X-rays can help radiologists discover the cause of abdominal pain, unusual bloating or difficulty in swallowing. The procedure calls for the patients to ingest barium, which helps the radiologist look at their digestive tracts.
On each of the patient's records, the written requests call for them to ingest 40 ounces of barium suspension. Something in the back of your mind makes you think this is too much medication. You've recently been having problems with records coming from the radiology department. You decide to check it out.
You look in the nurse's charts and find that the proper dosage of barium suspension is 625 milliliters per patient.
Is the dosage of 40 ounces correct? Or is it too much?
Formula: 1 fluid ounce = 31.25 mL