Reader Question:
Save Hip Dx For Other Surgeons
Published on Wed May 18, 2011
Question: If the urologist is called to the OR to intra-operatively place a Foley catheter when an orthopedic surgeon performing a hip replacement is unable to do so, do I ever need to use the diagnosis for the hip replacement in my coding for the urologist?Florida SubscriberAnswer: No, you should not use the diagnosis for the hip replacement procedure. Instead, you should use the diagnosis or reason for the difficult catheterization. Your choices might include the following:Urethral stricture -- 598.9, Urethral stricture unspecifiedBladder neck contracture -- 596.0, Bladder neck obstructionUrinary retention -- 788.20, Retention of urine unspecified.
