Find comprehensive information on Swallowed Foreign Body diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare guidelines. Learn about symptoms, endoscopic procedures, ICD-10 codes (T18.1), CPT codes for foreign body removal, and best practices for accurate reporting and reimbursement. Explore resources for healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and coding specialists, related to the management and documentation of ingested foreign objects. This resource provides essential information for accurate and efficient healthcare documentation and coding related to swallowed foreign bodies.
Also known as
Foreign body in orifice
Covers foreign bodies entering body orifices, including swallowing.
Foreign body entering through skin
Describes foreign bodies entering through skin, not ingestion.
Diseases of esophagus
May be used if esophageal complications arise from the foreign body.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the foreign body in the digestive system?
Yes
Specify location in digestive system
No
Is the foreign body in the respiratory system?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Swallowed foreign body |
Esophageal food impaction |
Choking |
Coding lacks specificity (e.g., esophagus, stomach) impacting DRG and reimbursement. CDI review crucial.
Inaccurate endoscopic removal codes, leading to underpayment or denials. Coder training essential.
Symptoms documented without imaging confirmation, risking claim denial for insufficient evidence.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with swallowed foreign body ingestion. Symptoms include dysphagia, odynophagia, throat pain, chest pain, and sensation of a lump in the throat. Onset of symptoms occurred approximately [timeframe] after ingesting [description of foreign body, if known, e.g., a fish bone, small toy part, coin]. Patient denies respiratory distress, although some coughing was noted initially. Physical examination reveals [positive or negative findings, e.g., tenderness in the cervical region, localized edema, palpable mass]. Anterior neck soft tissues are [description, e.g., supple, without crepitus]. Airway is patent. Vital signs are stable with heart rate [value] bpm, respiratory rate [value] breaths per minute, blood pressure [value], and oxygen saturation [value] on room air. Differential diagnosis includes esophageal perforation, esophageal food bolus impaction, and GERD. Imaging studies, such as a plain film X-ray of the neck and chest or CT scan of the neck, chest, and abdomen, are ordered to confirm the presence, location, and nature of the foreign body. Treatment plan includes [options such as endoscopic removal, observation with serial X-rays, surgical consultation if indicated]. Patient education provided regarding potential complications, such as esophageal perforation or airway obstruction, and instructions for follow-up care. ICD-10 code T18.1XXA, foreign body in esophagus, initial encounter, is assigned. CPT codes will be determined based on the procedures performed. The patient’s condition and treatment plan will be closely monitored.