AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2004 Issue 3; Clarification

Post Operative Mechanical Ventilation

When a patient experiences respiratory decompensation during surgery and cannot be weaned from the ventilator until 36-hours later, should code 96.71, Continuous mechanical ventilation for less than 96 consecutive hours, be assigned? Coding Clinic, Second Quarter 1992, page 14, advised, “Do not assign a code for mechanical ventilation used during surgery unless it is followed by an extended period (several days) of ventilation after surgery.” We are seeking clarification of “extended period and/or several days.” ...

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