AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 1988 First Quarter

Metabolic Encephalopathy

Note: As of October 1, 2003 code 348.3 Encephalopathy, unspecified, has be expanded to the fifth digit level to include code 348.31 Metabolic encephalopathy. Metabolic encephalopathy refers to an altered state of consciousness, usually denoting delirium. The delirium is either hypoactive or hyperactive in form, is transient in nature, and is essentially a reversible dysfunction in cerebral metabolism. The term "acute confusional state" may be used by some physicians to describe metabolic encephalopathy. The code assignments in the Alphabetic Index of ICD-9-CM for delirium and acute confusional state are compatible. In most instances, the associated condition or...

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