In ICD-10-PCS, how is monitoring defined?

Monitoring in ICD-10-PCS is defined as determining the level of a physiological function at a point in time. This means that when a healthcare provider conducts a monitoring procedure, they are assessing the physiological function to obtain a snapshot of the patient's current status rather than observing changes over time.

In the context of medical procedures, this often includes testing and measuring certain parameters, such as heart rate, blood pressure, or blood glucose levels, to give an immediate indication of the patient’s health. By focusing on a singular measurement event, monitoring is distinct from other processes that involve ongoing assessment and tracking of changes over time or across multiple sessions.

This specific definition makes it clear that monitoring is concerned with capturing a specific moment rather than the ongoing evaluation of trends or shifts in physiological status, which is more closely aligned with tracking changes or reporting variations. Therefore, defining monitoring in this way emphasizes its role in immediate clinical assessment and decision-making.