Wiki principal dx

[calwin]

Pt was admitted for cellulitis of finger so debridement was done and physician found the finger to have a fracture while performing debridement. Please advise if the cellulitis wld remain as principal dx or would the open fx become principal dx? Thanks

 

[calwin]

I guess I have to anwser my own question, just in case some other coders need anwser. The cellulitis would be the principal dx because fracture was discovered after the admission. Hopes this helps someone else. Thanks