AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2019 Issue 1; Ask the Editor
Drug-Induced Diarrhea
A patient with uterine adenocarcinoma was admitted for a small bowel obstruction. During the hospitalization, she was restarted on chemotherapy, which caused profuse diarrhea, and the provider documented “diarrhea secondary to Cisplatin.” In ICD-10-CM, the Index to Diseases classifies drug-induced diarrhea to code K52.1, Toxic gastroenteritis and colitis. Is it correct to assume based on this index entry that all drug-induced diarrhea, including diarrhea due to drugs such as antibiotics, are considered toxic? ...
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Article Overview
This article reviews ICD-10-CM guidance for drug-induced diarrhea, using a chemotherapy-related hospitalization scenario to frame the topic. It is intended for coders and CDI professionals who need to understand how the condition is indexed, what part of ICD-10-CM is relevant, and how the article addresses common assumptions about drug-related gastrointestinal diagnoses.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate classification of drug-related diarrhea affects diagnosis coding consistency and supports proper record abstraction when adverse drug effects are documented. The topic is especially relevant in inpatient, oncology, and coding compliance settings where medication-related gastrointestinal symptoms may appear in the chart.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames diarrhea documented as secondary to a drug or medication
- How the discussion relates the topic to ICD-10-CM indexing and classification
- What general issue the article raises about assumptions regarding drug-related gastrointestinal diagnoses
- Why the topic is relevant in clinical coding and documentation review
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Clinical documentation integrity specialists
- Coding auditors
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
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