Respiratory and Digestive System Complications

Why This Topic Matters

Accurate classification of postoperative complications affects code selection, claim processing, and coding consistency. The article helps readers understand how the 2011 ICD-9-CM updates changed the way certain respiratory and digestive complications are represented.

Article Sections

1. ICD-9-CM respiratory complication updates

   This section summarizes changes within the respiratory complication category and the creation of a new postoperative respiratory complication code. It also notes related classification edits and excludes language.

2. ICD-9-CM digestive system complication updates

   This section covers changes within the digestive system complication category, including a new postoperative code and related category updates. It also references linked excludes notes for adjacent procedure categories.

3. Coding question: postoperative aspiration pneumonia

   This section presents a general coding inquiry about postoperative aspiration pneumonia and discusses the applicable reporting approach at a high level. It frames the issue in relation to specificity and postoperative complication classification.