You Be the Coder: Nail Down the Correct Code For This Finger Injury

Question: What codes would your assign for the following chart note:

Wound Repair of 1cm (0.4 in) involving nail bed laceration to dorsal aspect of distal phalanx of left middle finger. Irregularly shaped. Skin/tissue flap noted. Distal neuro/vascular/tendon intact. Anesthesia: Digital block administered with 4 mls of 1% lidocaine. Wound prep: Moderate cleansing with Betadine, Wound explored moderately, Copious irrigation. Subungal hematoma is drained. Nail avulsed fully and removed. Closed with 8 5-0 chromic and nail bed repaired, nail reattached and tacked down with 2) 5-0 vicryl sutures. Dressed with Bacitracin, tube gauze.

Answer: The question to answer in coding [...]

- Published on 2011-10-20