Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Use fifth digit to distinguish hemolysis, other transfusion reactions.Stating "ABO (or Rh) incompatibility reaction" won't be enough for accurate diagnosis coding starting Oct. 1. You'll need to add information about whether the reaction is an acute or delayed hemolytic reaction or due to some other type of incompatibility.Here's why: ICD-9 2011 will render the following codes invalid and require you to use one of the new codes from Table 1 below instead:999.6 -- ABO incompatibility reaction999.7 -- Rh incompatibility reaction.The table shows that you'll also have expanded codes in subcategory 999.8 (Other infusion and transfusion reaction).Note Type and Timing for Proper Code ChoiceHemolysis, involving red blood cell rupture, is just one type of transfusion reaction that might occur due to an incompatibility between the donor and recipient blood. In Table 1, you'll see new ICD-codes to distinguish hemolytic reactions from "other" and "unspecified" transfusion reactions.Tip: Remember that "other" means the documentation spells [...]