review of systems medical-chart-canstockphoto13003631-ros

The Review of Systems (ROS) was the nearly frustrating aspect of charting equally an intern. Documenting at to the lowest degree x elements from systems seemingly unrelated to the main complaint took as long equally a physical exam and was much harder to call back. For efficiency, many of us include whatsoever pertinent positives and negatives in the history of present illness (HPI) and employ an ROS caveat such equally "10/14 Review of Systems completed and is negative except as stated above in HPI (Systems reviewed: Const, Eyes, ENT, Resp, CV, GI, GU, MSK, Peel, Neuro)" or "A complete Review of Systems was obtained and is negative except equally stated in HPI."

This obviates documenting x or more separate systems, but what if you lot're at a site where the coders won't have a blanket phrase? Should you keep your lengthy HPI so chart the same info again? Or tin can we devise a ROS that is at a minimum not redundant, and perchance even helpful?

CMS Definition & Requirements

The ROS is "an inventory of trunk systems obtained through a series of questions seeking to identify signs and/or symptoms which the patient may be experiencing or has experienced". CMS recognizes the following organ systems* for ROS (1995 Eastward/1000 Documentation Guidelines, PDF):

  1. Constitutional
  2. Eyes
  3. Ears, Nose, Oral cavity, Throat
  4. Cardiovascular
  5. Respiratory
  6. Gastrointestinal
  7. Genitourinary
  8. Musculoskeletal
  9. Integumentary (skin and/or breast)
  10. Neurological
  11. Psychiatric
  12. Endocrine
  13. Hematologic/Lymphatic
  14. Allergic/Immunologic

*Organ systems: A complete ROS must document systems, not regions of the body. This is an important distinction, east.g. Eyes and ENMT count separately, but Head and HEENT don't count.

Yous can document 4 types of ROS, depending on how many of the possible 14 systems are reviewed:

Eastward/M Level ROS Type Systems Reviewed
I None 0
II/Iii Trouble Pertinent one
4 Extended 2-9
5 Complete 10+

Work Smarter, Non Harder: Resuscitating ROS

How do you make this section useful?

  • Offload pertinent positives and negatives from the HPI into ROS.
  • Organize your history with HPI outset, then ROS, and PFSH concluding (mimicking how CMS arranges the East/M guidelines) so yous can document a concise HPI statement and move directly to ROS. This will make your charting efficient, even so effective and billable.
  • Utilize the ROS equally a cerebral backstop. As a inferior resident documenting ROS, I often realized I had forgotten certain history questions, did not accept enough information to exclude an item on my differential, or that something the patient said did not fit with the rest of the picture, prompting me to re-evaluate my differential.
  • Have a quick, apposite set of ROS questions to cover any systems non included in the history. For example: Fevers? Vision/hearing changes? Sore throat? Breast hurting? Shortness of breath? Vomiting or diarrhea? Painful urination? Rashes? Joint hurting or swelling? Numbness or tingling? Changes in mood? Heat or cold intolerance? Bleeding or bruising? Allergic reactions? Tailor this question ready to your practice setting and specific patients.

Terminal Tips

  • 1 item– positive, negative, or normal– will suffice for each system.
  • If y'all use dot phrases or macros, have a 2-4 organisation ROS for most patients and a complete ROS for patients that volition reach East/M level five. Consider also having a separate pediatric ROS.
  • Always document at least 2 systems to prevent downcoding to an E/M level ii-3.
  • ROS can exist obtained by ancillary staff or by patient questionnaire, every bit long as the dr. reviews and discusses any pertinent positives or negatives with the patient. Be certain to notate this in your documentation: "I have reviewed the ROS questionnaire and discussed the pertinent positives and negatives with the patient." Besides, initial whatever physical forms, e.g. patient questionnaires, which you have reviewed.
  • A complete ROS tin can be a hybrid, list pertinent positives and negatives past system, and and so a notation indicating "All other systems are negative."
  • Both caveats used in the introduction are valid examples per CMS. If you requite a number of systems in your caveat, you must list that number of systems afterwards, then the 2d version is more straightforward.