ELSO Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q	I can’t find the ICD-9 code for the diagnoses I need on the code sheets. What should I do?
A	Any valid ICD-9 or CPT code can be used. The ones listed on the code sheets are some of the more common ones, but obviously we can't list all codes. There are books available that list every code. You might find that your billing office can help you find the code if you are unable to.
Q	Can I submit the form without an outcome or with missing data?
A	Yes. Forms with missing data can be updated at a later date. We realize it sometimes takes a long time for some patients to be discharged and all you will need to do is update the form and send it back. If you are using the Word 97 template just open up the saved document, make any updates needed and send it back. The import routine will automatically update that patient in the registry. If you are filling out the printed form please let us know that this is an update to a previously submitted form. For missing data, do NOT enter "N/A", "Missing", or anything. Just leave the field blank.
Q	Do I have to list the ICD-9 and CPT codes in both the Pre-ECLS and Discharge columns?
A	Please. We realize that for most cases the Pre-ECLS codes are going to be the same as the Discharge or Death but there are cases where they are re-classified and we need to be able to track that.
Q	Where do we list any infection organisms after ECLS? There is only pre and on ECLS?
A	Use the On-ECLS organism if that is the case. If you have already used that field then the information cannot be entered.
Q	The equipment we use is not on your list, what should we do?
A	If you are using the Word 97 template leave blank and notify us so we can update our list. If you are filling out the printed form just write it in. We will update the supporting documents from time to time and place them on our web site as well as update the software. We keep track of those who download the system and send out e-mails to inform everyone of new versions they should be using.
Q	Can I make changes in the pull down list entries?
A	No. After selecting an infectious organism, equipment or any other field where the data is entered automatically you should not make changes. If you do the field will not be imported into the Access database. The import routine is doing a one-to-one match on those values.
Q	Why does the date add extra zero’s in the Word 97 template?
A	The template automatically converts the date field to an internal format that includes seconds. You can enter dates using either military time or adding A.M. / P.M.
Q	Our patient had a second run, do I need to have an outcome for the first run?
A	Yes. The first run should have the ‘Recovery’ field checked. With the new system we will now be computing outcome based on the value of the highest run number.
Q	Our patient died 4 days after ECLS was stopped. What do I check?
A	Because the patient was alive after discontinuing ECLS you should check Recovery but fill in the date / time of death field. When computing outcome we will be checking a variety of fields to determine the actual outcome. If a patient was alive when they discontinued ECLS but it was withdrawn with the assumption the patient would not survive then check the ‘Died on ECLS, or ECLS withdrawn’. We added the text ‘, or ECLS withdrawn’ after the "Died on ECLS" shortly after the forms were sent out. That was the only change we have made since the February mailing of the new registry forms.
Q	I currently don’t have the software to run the system so I haven’t downloaded the Word 97 template but was wondering if I can also be notified by e-mail of any new versions.
A	Yes. Just let us know your e-mail address and that you would like to be on that mailing list.
Q	We have office 95, can your system work with our software?
A	No. Even though Word 97 has an option to save as a previous version you cannot do that with forms that have macros and use visual basic code. You will need to have Windows 95/98 or Windows NT 4.0 operating system and Office 97 with Word and Access.

Revised: 6/25/2001