Initial diagnosis at time of admission

This variable is contained in the following files:

SAS Name

ADMTG_DGNS_CD

The diagnosis code indicating the beneficiary's initial diagnosis at the time of admission.

Comments

This field comes from the admitting diagnosis code that is present on the last claim record included in the stay.

For ICD-9 diagnosis codes, this is a 3–5 digit numeric or alpha/numeric value; it can include leading zeros. Starting in October 2015, ICD-10 diagnosis codes are used. A variable that indicates the version of the diagnosis code used appears for each occurrence (e.g., ADMTG_DGNS_VRSN_CD).

This diagnosis code may not be confirmed after the patient is evaluated; it may be different than the eventual diagnoses (e.g., as in DGNSCD1–DGNSCD25).

Source: NCH