Learn How to Code Intraoperative Complications Correctly
Question: I have an operative note that states the patient suffered an intraoperative complication involving a hemorrhage during the surgical procedure. How do we report the complication on the claim? Mississippi Subscriber Answer: The ICD-10-CM code book includes several diagnosis codes that represent a hemorrhage during a surgical procedure. Start by searching for Complication > intraoperative > hemorrhage in the Alphabetic Index. After following the indentations, you’ll arrive at the different anatomical structures where the operation and complications are occurring. For example, if the patient experienced hemorrhage during a surgical procedure on the stomach, you’d assign K91.61 (Intraoperative hemorrhage and hematoma of a digestive system organ or structure complicating a digestive system procedure) to report the complication that arose during the operation. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
