Metabolic encephalopathy: alteration in mental status caused by metabolic abnormalities.Toxic encephalopathy: alteration in mental status due to toxins, drugs, or alcohol.The three types of acute encephalopathy include: or acute, i.e., metabolic or toxic.Īcute encephalopathy, most commonly encountered in the inpatient arena, is characterized by an acute global alteration in mental status due to systemic factors which, when treated, are reversible. Encephalopathies can be chronic, i.e., anoxic brain injury, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, etc. The hallmark of encephalopathy is “altered mental status,” a clinical symptom not a diagnosis. Encephalopathy is a term used for any diffuse disease of the brain that alters brain function or structure. My goal is to deliver counsel to providers and clear up some of the confusion surrounding encephalopathy. Accurate documentation in the medical record helps capture the correct severity of illness and identify the reason for increased health care resource utilization. The diagnosis of encephalopathy seems so nebulous, yet this diagnosis is paramount. Maguir, MD, system director, Physician Advisor Program
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