You Be the Coder:
Pulmonary Embolism
Published on Fri Feb 01, 2002
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.
Question: Which codes are used for a pulmonary embolism resulting from complications of chemotherapy treatment, such as a clot forming in the port?
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Answer: The correct diagnosis code for a pulmonary embolism resulting from medical treatment is 415.11 (iatrogenic pulmonary embolism and infarction). Use this code with caution, because it requires documented evidence that the pulmonary embolism is associated with a port. A physician can "suspect" a clot has formed on the port or can say that it is the "probable" or "most likely" cause of the embolism; but probable, suspected or questionable conditions cannot be coded only definitive ones. The complication of a pulmonary embolism following chemotherapy, like a clot forming in the port used to inject the medication, happens very rarely but is something coders should be familiar with. If the cause of the embolism is unknown or undetermined, use 415.19 (pulmonary embolism and infarction, other). | |
