AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2008 Issue 2; Ask the Editor

Total Hip Replacement Using Antibiotic Impregnated Cement

The patient developed an infection after a primary total hip replacement and was admitted to the hospital for surgical treatment. At surgery, the prosthesis was removed. An antibiotic impregnated methylmethacrylate cement spacer was inserted to fill the acetabulum. The patient was discharged on day 5 and placed on IV antibiotics for six weeks. Because the infection had resolved, the patient was readmitted at six weeks for removal of the antibiotic spacer and revision of the total hip replacement with insertion of a new hip prosthesis. The patient was discharged on day 4 and placed on intravenous (IV) antibiotics for six weeks. What are the appropriate code assignments for both inpatient admissions? For the second admission, would an aftercare code be appropriate, since the infected prosthesis had been removed? ...

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