Part 1 -Understanding Encephalopathy: Examples of ICD-10 Codes

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Understanding Encephalopathy: Part 1 - Examples of ICD-10 Codes




Introduction:


Encephalopathy is a condition where there is a general change in brain function that occurs suddenly or gradually due to an underlying health issue. This condition is usually reversible and gets better when the underlying cause is treated. Encephalopathy can be caused by various factors such as COVID-19, infections, lack of oxygen, alcohol or drug poisoning, brain injury or tumor, liver disease, kidney problems, metabolic disorders, poor nutrition, or exposure to harmful chemicals. It's important to note that encephalopathy is always caused by another disease or health problem. In this two-part blog series, we will look at examples of ICD-10 codes used for encephalopathy and understand the coding rules associated with them.




Reporting & Sequencing Tips:


When it comes to reporting encephalopathy, there are some important things to keep in mind. The main diagnosis should be the condition that primarily caused the patient to be admitted to the hospital. Additional diagnoses include any other existing conditions at the time of admission, conditions that develop later, or conditions that affect the treatment, length of hospital stay, or require additional medical care. Since encephalopathy is always a result of another acute condition, it is rarely reported as the main diagnosis. The order of the codes depends on coding guidelines and rules.




Coding Conventions:


To correctly code and order encephalopathy, it's necessary to follow the instructions in the coding manual. These instructions may include "code first" or "use additional code" to determine the correct order. Here are some examples of coding conventions for encephalopathy:




G92.8 Other toxic encephalopathy:




This code includes toxic encephalitis and toxic metabolic encephalopathy.


If applicable, code the poisoning from a drug or toxin first (use T36-T65 with fifth or sixth character 1-4 or 6).


If there are any adverse effects from the drug, use an additional code to identify the specific drug (use T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5).


G92.9 Unspecified toxic encephalopathy:




This code is used when the specific cause of toxic encephalopathy is not known.


If applicable, code the poisoning from a drug or toxin first (use T36-T65 with fifth or sixth character 1-4 or 6).


If there are any adverse effects from the drug, use an additional code to identify the specific drug (use T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5).


G93.1 Anoxic encephalopathy:




This code does not include cerebral anoxia due to anesthesia during labor and delivery, anesthesia during the puerperium, or neonatal anoxia.


G93.4x Other and unspecified encephalopathy:




This code does not include alcoholic encephalopathy, encephalopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, or hypertensive encephalopathy.


This code also excludes toxic (metabolic) encephalopathy (code G92.8).


G93.40 Encephalopathy, unspecified.


G93.41 Metabolic encephalopathy (Includes septic encephalopathy).


G93.49 Other encephalopathy (Includes encephalopathy NEC).


Conclusion:


To ensure accurate coding and sequencing of encephalopathy, it's important to understand the guidelines and conventions provided in the coding manual. By following these rules, healthcare professionals can provide clear and precise information about the underlying cause of encephalopathy, leading to improved patient



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