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K55.9
ICD-10-CM
Ischemic Bowel

Find essential information on Ischemic Bowel Disease diagnosis including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes K55.0-K55.9, acute mesenteric ischemia, chronic mesenteric ischemia, intestinal infarction, bowel ischemia symptoms, abdominal pain, diagnosis of intestinal ischemia, and treatment options. This resource helps healthcare professionals ensure accurate and comprehensive documentation for optimal patient care and appropriate reimbursement. Learn about the various types of ischemic bowel, their clinical presentations, and effective management strategies.

Also known as

Intestinal Ischemia
Mesenteric Ischemia
Bowel Infarction
+2 more

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Reduced blood flow to the intestines, leading to tissue damage.
  • Clinical Signs : Abdominal pain, bloody stools, vomiting, and distension.
  • Common Settings : Hospital emergency rooms, surgical suites, and intensive care units.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC K55.9 Coding
K55.0-K55.9

Vascular disorders of intestine

Covers various intestinal blood vessel problems, including ischemia.

K55.1

Acute mesenteric ischemia

Sudden blockage of intestinal blood flow.

K55.9

Other vascular disorder of intestine

Includes unspecified intestinal ischemia or other circulatory issues.

I74

Embolism and thrombosis of aorta

Blockages in the aorta can sometimes cause ischemic bowel.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Acute or chronic ischemia?

  • Acute

    Specify location?

  • Chronic

    Mesenteric artery involved?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Ischemic Bowel
Mesenteric Ischemia
Acute Mesenteric Ischemia

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Document abdominal pain characteristics: location, onset, type.
  • Record bowel sounds, tenderness, distension, and guarding.
  • Note any nausea, vomiting, bloody stool, or altered bowel habits.
  • Include imaging results (CT, angiography) confirming reduced blood flow.
  • Specify acute vs. chronic & location (e.g., small bowel, colon).

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Location

    Coding Ischemic Bowel without specifying small or large intestine leads to inaccurate severity and reimbursement.

  • Acute vs. Chronic

    Miscoding acute vs. chronic ischemia affects quality metrics and resource utilization reporting.

  • Underlying Cause

    Failing to code the underlying etiology (e.g., embolism, thrombosis) impacts risk adjustment and treatment plans.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document acute abdominal pain onset, location, character for accurate ICD-10 coding (K55).
  • Thorough history, exam findings support Ischemic Bowel CDI, justify interventions, prevent HACs.
  • Labs (Lactate, CBC, BMP) crucial for Ischemic Bowel diagnosis, risk stratification, compliant billing.
  • Rapid imaging (CT Angiography) confirms diagnosis, guides treatment, ensures appropriate DRG assignment.
  • Timely intervention (surgery/thrombolysis) based on clear documentation improves outcomes, reduces complications.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Sudden onset abdominal pain documented
  • Labs: Lactic acid, CBC, CMP reviewed
  • Imaging: CT abdomen/pelvis ordered & reviewed
  • Hx: AFib, atherosclerosis, or other risk factors

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Ischemic Bowel: Coding accuracy impacts reimbursement for K55.1, K55.0, K55.8, K55.9, affecting DRG assignment and hospital payments.
  • Quality metrics: Accurate Ischemic Bowel diagnosis coding impacts POA reporting, severity scores, and hospital quality rankings.
  • Timely Ischemic Bowel diagnosis improves patient outcomes, impacting mortality rates and potentially reducing hospital readmissions.
  • Coding validation and physician documentation improvement crucial for proper Ischemic Bowel reimbursement and accurate quality reporting.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code K55.x for Ischemic Bowel
  • Specify acute/chronic
  • Document mesenteric vessels
  • Query physician for clarity
  • Check ICD-10-CM guidelines

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with acute abdominal pain consistent with possible ischemic bowel.  Onset of symptoms was described as sudden and severe, localized to the (periumbilical, right lower quadrant, left lower quadrant, or generalized) region.  Patient reports (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, constipation) and denies (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, constipation).  Physical examination reveals (abdominal tenderness, rebound tenderness, guarding, distension).  Bowel sounds are (present, absent, hyperactive, hypoactive).  Differential diagnosis includes acute mesenteric ischemia, chronic mesenteric ischemia, ischemic colitis, small bowel obstruction, and other acute abdominal emergencies.  Initial laboratory workup includes complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), lactate, and arterial blood gas (ABG).  Imaging studies such as computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the abdomen and pelvis are ordered to evaluate for vascular compromise and assess bowel viability.  Patient is currently being managed with intravenous fluids, pain control, and bowel rest.  Further management will be determined based on imaging results and clinical progression, potentially including surgical intervention if indicated.  Diagnosis:  Rule out ischemic bowel.  Plan:  Monitor for signs of peritonitis, sepsis, and bowel infarction.  Continue supportive care and reassess frequently.
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