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S81.801A
ICD-10-CM
Right Lower Leg Wound

Find information on right lower leg wound diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare resources. Learn about appropriate ICD-10 codes, treatment options, and wound care for lower leg injuries. Explore resources for accurate wound assessment, documentation guidelines, and best practices for healthcare professionals dealing with right lower extremity wounds. This resource provides support for medical coding accuracy and comprehensive wound management for the right lower leg.

Also known as

Right Lower Leg Laceration
Right Lower Leg Open Wound

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Injury disrupting skin integrity on the right lower leg.
  • Clinical Signs : Pain, swelling, redness, bleeding, bruising, exposed tissue, or drainage.
  • Common Settings : Trauma, burns, ulcers (venous, arterial, diabetic), infections.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC S81.801A Coding
S81-S89

Injuries to the lower leg

Covers various lower leg injuries, including wounds.

L00-L99

Diseases of the skin and subcu

Includes skin infections and ulcerations that may occur with leg wounds.

T30-T32

Burns and corrosions of external

Relevant if the leg wound is due to a burn or corrosion.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the wound traumatic?

  • Yes

    Open wound?

  • No

    Ulcer present?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Right lower leg wound
Right lower leg cellulitis
Right lower leg abscess

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Wound location: Precisely on right lower leg
  • Wound type: e.g., laceration, ulcer, abrasion
  • Wound size: Length x width x depth in cm
  • Wound characteristics: Exudate, erythema, necrosis
  • Documentation of surrounding skin condition

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Specificity Lacking

    Coding right lower leg wound lacks detail. Needs laterality, depth, type (e.g., ulcer, laceration) for accurate code assignment and reimbursement.

  • Documentation Gaps

    Insufficient clinical documentation for accurate coding and audit validation. CDI crucial for clarifying wound etiology, severity, characteristics.

  • Unconfirmed Infection

    Coding wound infection without proper documentation poses audit risk. CDI should query physician to confirm infection presence and type for code validity.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document wound size, depth, location precisely for accurate ICD-10 coding.
  • Specify wound etiology (traumatic, surgical, ulcer) for proper CDI and billing.
  • Regularly assess and document wound healing progress for compliance and coding.
  • Capture infection signs (erythema, edema) for appropriate severity coding (e.g., cellulitis).
  • Differentiate between acute and chronic wounds for correct coding and care plans.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Confirm wound location: Right lower leg
  • Document wound characteristics (size, depth, type)
  • Assess for infection signs (redness, swelling, pus)
  • Evaluate vascular status of right lower extremity
  • Rule out other diagnoses (cellulitis, DVT)

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Right Lower Leg Wound Reimbursement: Coding accuracy impacts payment. Focus on ICD-10 L98.4XX, procedure codes, and modifiers for optimal reimbursement.
  • Quality Metrics Impact: Wound healing time is a key metric. Accurate documentation and coding are crucial for proper tracking and reporting.
  • Hospital Reporting: Accurate diagnosis coding (ICD-10) affects hospital quality data reporting and potential value-based payments.
  • Coding Accuracy: Correctly coding wound severity, size, and type (e.g., pressure ulcer, laceration) impacts MS-DRG assignment and reimbursement.

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
  • Specify wound type
  • Document depth, size
  • Laterality is key
  • Include cause if known
  • Check 7th character

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with a right lower leg wound.  Location of the wound is documented, specifying anatomical landmarks such as anterior, posterior, lateral, or medial aspect of the lower leg.  Detailed wound assessment includes size in centimeters,  depth, shape (circular, irregular, linear), wound bed characteristics (granulating tissue, slough, eschar),  exudate description (serous, sanguinous, purulent, amount), and surrounding skin condition (erythema, edema, induration, maceration).  Assessment for signs of infection, including cellulitis, abscess, or osteomyelitis, is documented.  Patient's pain level is assessed and documented using a validated pain scale.  The etiology of the wound is explored, including traumatic injury, venous insufficiency, arterial ulcer, diabetic ulcer, pressure injury, or other underlying medical conditions.  Relevant medical history, including diabetes, peripheral vascular disease,  immunosuppression, and previous wound treatments, is noted.  Current medications, allergies, and tetanus immunization status are documented.  Treatment plan includes wound care management, such as debridement (if necessary), dressing type (alginate, foam, hydrogel), compression therapy (if appropriate), and frequency of dressing changes.  Patient education provided regarding wound care instructions, signs of infection, and follow-up appointments.  Differential diagnoses considered and rationale for chosen diagnosis provided.  ICD-10 code assigned based on etiology and characteristics of the wound (e.g., L97.411  Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right lower leg with unspecified severity).  CPT codes for procedures performed, such as debridement or wound closure, are documented.  Plan for future wound assessments and adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.