Inpatient Facility Coding & Compliance Alert

Question: I’m having some trouble coding for septic shock patients who are given pressor support. I was told that two different codes apply (89.67 and 00.17). Can you please explain this to me and give me a little more information?

Arkansas Subscriber

Answer: First, be sure you know the correct descriptors for both the codes: 00.17 (Infusion of vasopressor agent) and 89.67 (Monitoring of cardiac output by oxygen consumption technique, Fick method).

Vasopressors are used when treating patients in shock, which is a state of inadequate tissue perfusion due to abnormally low systemic blood pressure. Vasopressors act primarily by causing the arteries of the body to constrict, which raises the patient’s blood pressure. They are administered through temporary, continuous intravenous infusion (common names include Dobutamine, Dopamine, Epinephrine, Ephedrine, Isoproterenol, Methoxamine, Norepinephrine, Phenylephrine, and Vasopressin). Code 0017 describes the infusion of one of these agents to treat the septic shock.

The Fick method mentioned in code 89.67’s descriptor references a method of calculating cardiac output or organ blood flow. Calculations are based on measurements of oxygen consumption and the difference in oxygen concentration between arterial and venous concentrations.

Include both codes when reporting vasopressor support to treat septic shock because they work together to fully explain the care that’s rendered.