AHIMA Documentation Integrity Practitioner (CDI) CDIP Question # 7 Topic 1 Discussion

 A pressure ulcer covered by eschar on the right hip is coded as an unstageable pressure ulcer, according to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. The guidelines state that “Pressure-induced deep tissue damage is defined as a pressure injury that is unstageable due to coverage of the wound bed by slough and/or eschar” 2. Eschar is a thick, dry, black necrotic tissue that obscures the depth of tissue loss and prevents accurate staging of the pressure ulcer 3. Therefore, the provider’s response of “unable to determine” the stage of the pressure ulcer is consistent with the definition of unstageable pressure ulcer. The code for unstageable pressure ulcer of right hip is L89.210 4.

References: 1: AHIMA CDIP Exam Prep, Fourth Edition, p. 139 2: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2021, Section I.C.12.b.4 3: Pressure Ulcer/Injury Coding Pocket Guide - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2 4: ICD-10-CM Code L89.210 - Pressure ulcer of right hip, unstageable : AHIMA CDIP Exam Prep, Fourth Edition : ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2021 : ICD-10-CM Code L89.210 - Pressure ulcer of right hip, unstageable : AHIMA CDIP Exam Prep, Fourth Edition : ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2021 : ICD-10-CM Code L89.210 - Pressure ulcer of right hip, unstageable : AHIMA CDIP Exam Prep, Fourth Edition https://my.ahima.org/store/product?id=67077 : ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2021 https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/icd/10cmguidelines-FY2021.pdf : ICD-10-CM Code L89.210 - Pressure ulcer of right hip, unstageable https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/L00-L99/L80-L99/L89-/L89.210