Pneumothorax from barotrauma
Patient with O2 dependent COPD, chronic respiratory failure, found to be profoundly hypoxic with sats of 35%. Apparently his O2 tank was empty. A CXR showed a left sided PTX, likely from barotrauma in conjunction with his COPD. Barotrauma is defined as tissue injury caused by a pressure-related change in body compartment gas volume. Factors increasing risk of pulmonary barotrauma include certain behaviors (eg, rapid ascent, breath-holding, breathing compressed air) and lung disorders (eg, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Would this coded as a tension pneumothorax or do I need to query?Appreciate thoughts/suggestions!