ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Question: A patient presents to the ED with a laceration involving the ulnar artery and ulnar nerve. The physician closed the wound with a 4-cm single-layer suture. He then referred the patient to a hand surgeon. How should I report this?


Arizona Subscriber


Answer: You should describe this procedure with a simple repair code from the 1200x series (Simple repair of superficial wound). This repair, when the artery laceration isn't severe, is a common practice in the emergency department. The ED physician closes the wound to allow it to heal, and when the swelling abates, the hand surgeon repairs the nerve or tendon.