Wiki Icd 9 code for infection due to external fixation device

[twosmek]

WOULD YOU USE THE CODE 996.67 OR ANOTHER CODE.

996.67 IS FOR INFECTION AND INFLAMMATORY REACTION DUE TO INTERNAL ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE, IMPLANT, AND GRAFT.

THE HEADING UNDER 996.6 STATES: DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF ANY DEVICE IMPLANT, AND GRAFT CLASSIFIABLE TO 996.0-996.5

996.4 INCLUDES EXTERNAL FIXATION DEVICE UTILIZING INTERNAL SCREWS PINS OR OTHER METHODS OF FIXATION.

OPINIONS.

 

[michellelgrd]

i thought all external devices were fixated using internal pins and screw so i would say go with 996.4

 

[twosmek]

Yes, these were. It was not a mechanical failure though which is what the 996.4 group is for .
I am just looking for agreement or disagreement I guess for using the 996.67 code. I can't really find anything definiative as to what to use the infection caused by the fixator.

 

[michellelgrd]

yes but if u look up infection due to device in the front it directs u to these codes

 

[twosmek]

You may be reading it incorrectly. it states
Infection

due to or resulting from​

device, implant, or graft (any)(presence of)--see Complications,infections and inflammation, due to (presence of) anyu device, implant, or graft classified to 996.0-996.5 NEC​

not to use 996.0-996.5

if you look under complications; infection and inflammation; due to any device, implant or graft classified to 996.0-996.5--it is further indented and you get options of the following:

joint prosthesis, internal-996.66
orthopedic NEC-996.67
orthopedic NEC-joint, internal-996.66


Which leads me to believe to use 996.67.