chief1kee
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I am convinced, that a animal bite is an open wound, without having to be stated as open and would code a cat bite of finger with 883.0.
However, after discussion with another coder, she always uses contusion, unless the physician documents that it was an open wound and would code a cat bite of finger 923.3.
I have been unable to convince her to where she is comfortable with the open wound ICD-9 even after looking up the definition. Following is my reasoning as to why it should be considered an open wound.
1. The definition of a bite from Tabers medical dictionary states; " 1. To cut with teeth. 2. An injury in which the body surface is torn by an insect or animal, resulting in abrasions, punctures, or lacerated wounds. 3b. Specific for cat. A wound inflicted by the teeth of a cat; typically a puncture wound on the hand or the arm."
2. Since the medical definition states an open wound, it would then put the resposibility of the physician to state the the skin was intact to change the normal definition. Not the other way around.
The ICD-9 book only states Bite(s), animal - see Wound, open, by site
intact skin surface - See Contusion.
Please give me feedback good enough to be able to convince the other coder or correct me if I am wrong.
However, after discussion with another coder, she always uses contusion, unless the physician documents that it was an open wound and would code a cat bite of finger 923.3.
I have been unable to convince her to where she is comfortable with the open wound ICD-9 even after looking up the definition. Following is my reasoning as to why it should be considered an open wound.
1. The definition of a bite from Tabers medical dictionary states; " 1. To cut with teeth. 2. An injury in which the body surface is torn by an insect or animal, resulting in abrasions, punctures, or lacerated wounds. 3b. Specific for cat. A wound inflicted by the teeth of a cat; typically a puncture wound on the hand or the arm."
2. Since the medical definition states an open wound, it would then put the resposibility of the physician to state the the skin was intact to change the normal definition. Not the other way around.
The ICD-9 book only states Bite(s), animal - see Wound, open, by site
intact skin surface - See Contusion.
Please give me feedback good enough to be able to convince the other coder or correct me if I am wrong.
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