---
name: clinical-documentation-query
description: Generate compliant physician queries to clarify clinical documentation for accurate coding, severity of illness, and risk of mortality capture
allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Write, Edit, Glob
---

# Clinical Documentation Query

Generate compliant physician queries to clarify clinical documentation for accurate coding, severity of illness, and risk of mortality capture.

## Overview

This skill enables creation of compliant clinical documentation queries. It encompasses query identification, compliant query writing, physician engagement, and response tracking to improve documentation accuracy and coding specificity.

## Capabilities

### Query Identification
- Documentation gap analysis
- Clinical indicator review
- Coding specificity needs
- Quality measure support
- DRG optimization

### Compliant Query Writing
- Non-leading queries
- Multiple choice formats
- Open-ended questions
- Clinical indicator inclusion
- Evidence-based requests

### Query Types
- Diagnosis clarification
- Severity specification
- Causation documentation
- Present on admission
- Clinical significance

### Response Management
- Query tracking
- Response monitoring
- Documentation updates
- Escalation procedures
- Outcome analysis

## Usage Guidelines

### Query Process
1. Review clinical documentation
2. Identify opportunities
3. Gather clinical evidence
4. Draft compliant query
5. Submit to physician
6. Track response
7. Update documentation

### Compliance Requirements
- Non-leading format
- Clinical evidence basis
- Multiple response options
- Include "unable to determine"
- No financial motivation mention

### Best Practices
- Query concurrently when possible
- Use clinical indicators
- Be specific but not leading
- Provide relevant context
- Track response rates

## Integration Points

### Related Processes
- Clinical Documentation Improvement
- Medical Coding Compliance
- Quality Reporting Program Compliance

### Collaborating Skills
- medical-coding-audit
- quality-metrics-measurement
- regulatory-compliance-assessment

## References

- AHIMA CDI Practice Brief
- ACDIS query guidelines
- OIG compliance guidance
- CDI best practices