Peripheral-vascular conditions support a skilled Part A day in several scenarios: peripheral arterial disease and limb ischemia, deep-vein thrombosis (including the post-operative and post-immobility DVT), chronic venous insufficiency with venous ulcers, arterial ulcers, and the edema and compression therapy these require. The skilled element is the vascular assessment — pulses and perfusion, edema and skin changes, and DVT surveillance — together with compression therapy and the coordination of vascular-ulcer care.
The purpose of this module is to prove, for each billed day, that skilled vascular observation, a covered procedure, teaching, or management of the plan was reasonable, necessary, needed daily, and available only in a SNF under Pub. 100-02 Chapter 8. The vascular exam is the same as in home care; the coverage spine is re-pointed. Vascular-ulcer wound detail is authored in Skin; anticoagulation management in the Anticoagulation overlay.
