Postop Air Leak

BeckyABeckyA
in Clinical & Coding
We've been having some discussion amongst our CDS team, coding staff, and surgery team about the coding of "postop air leak" for thoracic surgery patients. Often the surgeon will document that a patient has a small air leak after one of these surgeries and to monitor. Sometimes the coder will used the "Postprocedural Air leak" code for this as it happens after surgery. Is this the appropriate code? If the physician isn't specifically saying "Postop" would we just go to a general "Air leak" code? Would we even code this at all if it is anticipated after a thoracic surgery and only do routine follow up CXRs? Looking for insight and advice as to what others do for these cases. Thanks!

Comments

  • tvansickletvansickle
    We have used J93.82 other air leak code, but I would be interested to see what others are doing. 
  • ebraunebraun
    i would lean towards J95.812, Post procedural air leak.  You can always query for the clinical significance.
Sign In or Register to comment.