Tag: Clinical criteria

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition remains a global health problem that can affect anyone, but the term 'PEM' can also refer to a debilitating symptom in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS). Diagnosing PEM accurately depends on which condition is being investigated.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition encompasses deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. Learning how to code malnutrition accurately is crucial for healthcare providers and medical coders, as it directly impacts patient care, reimbursement, and data quality. Accurate coding requires specific clinical documentation that meets established standards, such as those from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), severe acute malnutrition (SAM) affects millions of children globally, making the question of what qualifies as severe protein-calorie malnutrition an urgent public health concern. This serious condition is characterized by a lack of adequate protein and energy intake, leading to significant physiological and developmental damage if not addressed promptly.