Infected pressure ulcer

Just wanted to see whether there is a special code for pressure ulcer stage 3 that is infected.

Thank you!

Comments

  • Hi Reyhan.
    Answer to your question is no, there is not a special L-code for an infected ulcer.
    There is a way to code the infection in an ulcer however and those instructions I found in my Decision Health Coding Manual, Chapter 1 which covers codes A-B infections. It instructs one to use the B95 codes following the ulcer code when there is documentation of a current wound infection. You will also add a Z-code for Abx resistance if appropriate (like MRSA).

    Nancy Wolverton RN, CCM, HCS-D-10
    Utilization Review Specialist
    Kindred at Home
    Little Rock, Arkansas
    501-508-8526 (o)
    501-690-2027 (c)
    Nancy.Wolverton@kindred.com
  • Thank you for the information! So I guess if the infectious organism is not specified by Physician, we just code the ulcer.

    Thank you again!
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