AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2013 Issue 2; Ask the Editor
Epiploic Appendagitis
The patient was admitted to the hospital with left lower quadrant pain, nausea and vomiting and diarrhea. CT scan of the abdomen showed epiploic appendagitis. The provider listed “Epiploic appendagitis” in the final diagnostic statement. How should “epiploic appendagitis” be coded? Can we code this as generalized peritonitis? ...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article reviews a coding question involving epiploic appendagitis in the context of abdominal pain and imaging findings. It is intended for coding professionals who need to understand how the documented diagnosis is discussed in relation to broader inflammatory peritoneal conditions and related coding references. The article focuses on diagnosis documentation, code-set context, and a provider-query approach when the record is unclear.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate diagnosis coding depends on whether the documentation supports a specific inflammatory condition or a different interpretation of the finding. This article matters because it highlights how documentation language can affect code selection and the need for clarification when the record is ambiguous.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames a coding question involving epiploic appendagitis.
- Why documentation specificity matters when inflammatory abdominal conditions are considered.
- When provider clarification may be needed before final code assignment.
- How related index references are discussed in the context of the documented diagnosis.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Clinical documentation specialists
- HIM professionals
Codes Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com