AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2004 Issue 2; Ask the Editor

Nonsurgical Mechanical Debridement

In Second Quarter 2000, Coding Clinic advised that code 86.22, Excisional debridement of wound, infection, or burn, may be assigned when a surgical removal or cutting away of devitalized tissue, necrosis or slough is performed by a nurse, physical therapist, physician assistant or physician. However now we would like to know whether a “sharp debridement” performed by a physical therapist should be coded as an “excisional debridement.” When the documentation indicates the physical therapist “debrided devitalized tissue using a sharp instrument” what is the appropriate code assignment? ...

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