Home Health ICD-9/ICD-10 Alert

Question: Our new patient has an abdominal surgical wound that dehisced internally and became infected with staphylococcus and tests positive for MRSA. We will be providing wound care, post-operative teaching, as well as observation and assessment. How should we code for him?

Answer: For this patient, list the following diagnosis codes:

M0230a: 998.31 (Disruption of internal operation [surgical] wound);

M0240b: 998.59 (Other postoperative infection);and

M0240c: 041.12 (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

Do not list V codes for aftercare or dressing changes for this patient because V codes indicate a resolving condition requiring routine care. In this case, you must instead code for the complications you are caring for.