OPCS - Coding standards Flashcards
PCSA3: Neurostimulators (A09, A33, A48 and A70)
When a neurostimulator is permanently implanted under the skin:
• Code classifying the implantation of neurostimulator
• Chapter Z site code, where this adds more information
• Z94.- (if applicable)
When electrode leads are implanted temporarily to test effectiveness, and the generator is not implanted:
• Code classifying the implantation of electrodes
• Y70.5 temporary operations
• Chapter Z site code, where this adds more information
• Z94.- (if applicable)
What do you need to remember when coding ECT?
• For the first administration within a course of therapy assign code A83.8
Other specified electroconvulsive therapy in the primary position
• Where a number of courses have been administered during the same consultant episode, all instances of A83.8 must be assigned before assigning A83.9
• For subsequent administrations in the same course of therapy (whether in the same consultant episode within a hospital provider spell or a subsequent hospital provider spell) code A83.9 Unspecified electroconvulsive therapy must be assigned.
PCSD3: Combined approach tympanoplasty (D14.4)
A code for the graft material used must not be assigned in addition to code D14.4
Combined approach tympanoplasty as the graft is implicit within the code.
PCSE1: Laryngopharyngectomy (E19 and E29)
When coding laryngopharyngectomy the following codes and sequencing must be used:
E19.- Pharyngectomy
E29.- Excision of larynx
The fourth character codes assigned will be dependent upon whether the excisions are
total, partial or unspecified.
PCSE4: Non operations on lower respiratory tract (E85–E98) and ventilation support (E85)
Codes in categories E85–E98 must only be used for outpatient coding, or if the patient is admitted solely for the purpose of a procedure/intervention.
The exception to this standard is category E85 Ventilation support. Codes within this category must always be assigned when ventilation support is performed in either an inpatient or outpatient setting.
PCSE5: Invasive ventilation with tracheostomy (E85.1)
When a tracheostomy is performed for invasive ventilation the following codes and sequencing must be applied:
E85.1 Invasive ventilation
E42.3 Temporary tracheostomy
How must a gastroscopy be coded when described as ‘failed intubation’, i.e. when the scope only enters the mouth and the patient is unable to tolerate?
When a patient is admitted for a gastrointestinal tract endoscopy and the patient is unable to tolerate the scope and statements such as ‘failed intubation’ is documented in the medical record; the procedure must not be coded.
G20.1 and G46.2 classify endoscopic coagulation of bleeding lesion of either oesophagus or upper gastrointestinal tract; when would these codes be assigned?
Answer = When coagulation of bleeding lesion(s) is performed using haemostatic spray as a therapeutic procedure. These codes must not be used to classify coagulation as a means of haemostasis at the end of a procedure.
What does new standard PCSG6: Endoscopic insertion of nasogastric or nasojejunal feeding tube (G47.5 and G67.5) tell us?
Answer= The endoscopic insertion of an NG or NJ tube must be coded using the appropriate code with the addition of code Y76.3 Endoscopic approach to
other body cavity.
What must be coded when banding of haemorrhoids is carried out in conjunction with an endoscopic procedure?
When banding of haemorrhoids is carried out in conjunction with an endoscopic procedure,
both H52.4 Rubber band ligation of haemorrhoid and the OPCS-4 endoscopic procedure code must be assigned.
What must a coder be mindful of when coding a colonoscopy that does not progress beyond the sigmoid colon?
The exclusion at categories H20-H22 indicates that when a colonoscopy does not progress past the sigmoid colon a code from H23-H25 must be assigned.
How must a failed or abandoned ERCP be coded?
Answer = A failed or abandoned ERCP, (i.e. an ERCP with incomplete insertion of the endoscope, or complete insertion of the endoscope but the ampulla cannot be cannulated) must be coded to J43.9 Unspecified diagnostic endoscopic retrograde examination of bile duct and
pancreatic duct.
What is the sequencing of cholecystectomy and ERCP when performed together?
Answer = When endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is performed at the same time as cholecystectomy, the ERCP
must be coded in a secondary position.
What sequencing must be followed when a coronary artery procedure involves the insertion of a combination of stents?
When a combination of drug eluting and metal or plastic stents have been inserted during a coronary artery procedure the following codes and sequencing must be used:
• body system chapter code describing the insertion of the drug eluting stent
• a code from category Y14 Placement of stent in organ NOC to classify the
insertion of the other types of coronary stent(s)
• a code from category Y53. Approach to organ under image control or Y68.
Other approach to organ under image control to classify the method of image control used.
What is coded when an angiocardiography of the heart is carried out during the same radiology/theatre visit as a coronary arteriography?
When an angiocardiography of the heart (codes K63.1 K63.3) is performed with a coronary arteriography (codes K63.4 K63.6) during the same
radiology/theatre visit, both procedures must be recorded.
A code from category Y53. Approach to organ under image control or Y68. Other approach to organ
under image control must also be assigned in a secondary position in order to classify the method of image control used.
Why must a code from category K65 Catheterisation of heart not be assigned in addition to codes in category K63 Contrast radiology of heart?
Because catheterisation is implicit within these codes.
When must the codes within principal category L71 Therapeutic transluminal operations on other artery and extended category L66 Other therapeutic transluminal operations on artery be used?
They must be used to code interventions that are not classifiable at fourth character level within named artery categories (L01 L63).
What subsidiary code is also required when coding procedures classified to these two categories and why?
A site code from Chapter Z must also be assigned as the categories L66 and L71 are not site specific.
If a procedure cannot be classified at a specific fourth character within L66 and L71, what must be used?
The .8 and .9 subcategories at named artery categories, e.g. L63.8, L63.9 etc. must be used instead.
What code range must the coder use when an artery or its branches is not specified at the category or code description or at the category inclusion?
Answer = Where the artery is not specifically referred to within the code description or inclusion, a code from categories L65 L72 must be used instead with the addition of a site code from Chapter Z where available.
If the artery or its branch are listed as an inclusion what subsidiary code must the coder ensure is also assigned?
A site code from Chapter Z
What must be coded when an angioplasty/
venoplasty and insertion of stent are performed at the same time?
When angioplasty/ venoplasty and insertion of stent or stent graft are performed at the same time and individual codes are available for the angioplasty/ venoplasty and for the stent/stent graft insertion, only the code for the stent/stent graft insertion is required, because the angioplasty/ venoplasty is implicit within the stent/stent graft insertion code.
PChSL4: Removal of bypass grafts
The removal of bypass grafts must be coded to the original operation bypass category with the fourth-character .8 plus code Y26.4 Removal of other repair material from organ NOC unless there is a specific fourth-character code that classifies removal of the bypass graft.
PCSL1: Anastomosis without a site specific code (L16-L28 and L48-L63)
Anastomotic sites that are not specifically indicated at the fourth-character level within categories L16-L28 and L48-L63 must be assigned to the .8 within the relevant category.