General Surgery Coding Alert
Use V Codes for OSHA-Required Tests
Question: After performing a blood draw, a nurse in our private surgical practice accidentally stuck herself with the needle. Based on our OSHA guidelines, she and the patient will need to be tested for AIDS and other infectious diseases. How should I report this? Answer: To report the accidental stick with the sharp (needle), you should use 998.2 (Accidental puncture or laceration during a procedure) as the primary ICD-9 code. You should also report V15.85 (Exposure to potentially hazardous body fluids) as a supplementary code to further describe the circumstances of the accidental stick. Report E920.5 (Accidents caused by cutting and piercing instruments or objects; contaminated needle or needle stick) as an additional supplementary code to describe the accident. - Technical and coding advice for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Marcella Bucknam, CPC, CCS, CPC-H, CCS-P, HIM program coordinator at Clarkson College in Omaha, Neb.
Indiana Subscriber
Code V15.85 is one of several specific codes for describing exposure to such substances as lead, asbestos, and body fluids that have not yet caused illness:
General Surgery Coding Alert
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Use V Codes for OSHA-Required Tests
Question: After performing a blood draw, a nurse in our private surgical practice accidentally stuck [...] - Correction:
Global Days for 11044
The July 2004 General Surgery Coding Alert ("3 Questions You Must Ask Yourself When Coding [...]
