Q&A: Clarifying new guidance for pressure ulcers, deep-tissue damage

Why This Topic Matters

Accurate handling of pressure ulcer and deep-tissue damage documentation can affect diagnosis coding consistency and reporting. The article helps coding professionals understand the scope of the FY 2020 guidance changes they should review in their own coding workflows.

Article Sections

1. FY 2020 guidance updates

   Introduces the coding guidance updates discussed in the Q&A and frames the changes affecting pressure ulcer reporting for FY 2020.

2. Healed and healing pressure ulcers

   Discusses documentation scenarios involving pressure ulcers that are healed, healing, or change status during the stay, with emphasis on the updated guidance context.

3. Pressure-induced deep tissue damage

   Summarizes the new guidance area for pressure-induced deep tissue damage and references the new ICD-10-CM coding additions associated with that topic.

4. Non-pressure chronic ulcers

   Notes that related guidance for non-pressure chronic ulcers is addressed alongside the pressure ulcer updates and how the FY 2020 clarification applies broadly to that topic.