According to Schraffenberger (2013), “Pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers are caused by tissue hypoxia secondary to pressure induced vascular insufficiency, and they may become secondarily infected with components of the skin and gastrointestinal flora. The ulceration of tissue usually is at the location of a bony prominence that has been subjected to prolonged pressure against an external object, such as a bed, wheelchair, cast, or splint. Pressure ulcers may extend into deeper tissue including muscle and bone.”
The preceding is the information needed to properly code giving description to the four stages depth of an ulcer, Stage I being the mildest case and Stage IV more severe; however, an unspecified stage and unstageable description could be used to code as well. The Official Coding Guidelines renders clinical documentation is required in order to determine the stage of the pressure ulcer. Because a patient can be ridden with more than one pressure ulcer at one time the coder may have to use numerous codes if appropriate. Ordinarily combination codes is a must to identify the stage and the site of the pressure ulcer (e.g. buttocks). …show more content…
Also, after a patient is admitted for an ulcer which is healed before discharge no code is given because it will no longer exist. If the pressure ulcer is in the process of healing with no specificity, an unspecified stage is coded, or if the pressure ulcer evolves into another stage use the appropriate stage accordingly. Based on stages III and IV, the length of stay may be impacted due to the time in which it may take to heal. There is a non-pressure chronic ulcer of the lower limb to be classified as (L97)
The preceding is the information needed to properly code giving description to the four stages depth of an ulcer, Stage I being the mildest case and Stage IV more severe; however, an unspecified stage and unstageable description could be used to code as well. The Official Coding Guidelines renders clinical documentation is required in order to determine the stage of the pressure ulcer. Because a patient can be ridden with more than one pressure ulcer at one time the coder may have to use numerous codes if appropriate. Ordinarily combination codes is a must to identify the stage and the site of the pressure ulcer (e.g. buttocks). …show more content…
Also, after a patient is admitted for an ulcer which is healed before discharge no code is given because it will no longer exist. If the pressure ulcer is in the process of healing with no specificity, an unspecified stage is coded, or if the pressure ulcer evolves into another stage use the appropriate stage accordingly. Based on stages III and IV, the length of stay may be impacted due to the time in which it may take to heal. There is a non-pressure chronic ulcer of the lower limb to be classified as (L97)