Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner Protocols: ICD-9 Coding & Pharmaceutical Regulations

Clinical pharmacist practitioner protocols (CPPPs) are sets of officiating parameters, utilizing International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision codes (ICD-9). This code is used to make sure all pharmaceuticals are distributed according to a clinic's regulations.

Diagnosis Codes

• ICD-9 codes are used to designate the types of prescribing privileges a patient receives, in reference to their particular diagnosis. These codes can be alpha-numeric and divided into external causes of injury or E codes, diseases and injuries, and procedures. For example, the atrial fibrillation code is 427.31 and the joint replacement code is V43.60.

Medications for Prescribing

• The CPPP also describes what medications are available to be described. For example, iron supplements, cox-2 inhibitors, diuretics, corticosteroids, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, bile acid sequestrants and niacin.

Laboratory Tests and Monitoring

• CPPP also designates which tests can be ordered in relation to the type of medication or therapy the patient has been receiving. For example, factor V Leiden, protein C (functional) protein S (functional) antithrombin III and antiphospholipid antibodies should all be monitored in patients taking anticoagulants.

Eventual Protocols

• The CPPP also includes operation plans such as emergency plans, quality control plans, how to review and obtain countersignatures for all pharmaceutical orders and the procedures for patient notifications.