Wiki Differentiating between brief/moderate/prolonged unconsciousness

[kimberliterpstra]

Good afternoon,
I'm coding for Trauma Services, for a patient with a subarachnoid hemorrhage after injury (842.0-). The fifth digit is what's in question...what's the difference between brief unconsciousness, moderate unconsciousness and prolonged unconsciousness? Are they measured in how long (minutes) the patient was unconscious? Does anyone have a good resource/guideline?

 

[mhstrauss]

Good afternoon,
I'm coding for Trauma Services, for a patient with a subarachnoid hemorrhage after injury (842.0-). The fifth digit is what's in question...what's the difference between brief unconsciousness, moderate unconsciousness and prolonged unconsciousness? Are they measured in how long (minutes) the patient was unconscious? Does anyone have a good resource/guideline?

Do you mean 852.0-? (842.0- is wrist injuries)... If yes, look at the box right before 850, it has a breakdown of the unconscious time guidelines for each 5th digit used in this section.