Encounter for attention to artificial openings (Z43)

The ICD-10 code Z43 and its subcodes are used to document medical encounters focused on the care and management of various artificial openings in the body. These codes help specify attention given to stomas or surgically created openings such as tracheostomies and different types of ostomies.

This section includes codes like Z43.0 for tracheostomy care and specific codes for digestive tract openings such as Z43.1 for gastrostomy, Z43.2 for ileostomy, and Z43.3 for colostomy. These codes cover activities such as changing gastrostomy or ostomy bags, often noted as "gastrostomy bag changed" or "ileostomy bag changed." Attention to urinary tract openings is captured by codes like Z43.5 for cystostomy and Z43.6 for other urinary artificial openings, including adjustments to urinary stoma bags. Additionally, Z43.7 refers to care related to an artificial vagina. For unspecified or less common artificial openings, Z43.9 includes encounters related to issues like ischemia of a stoma. These codes are essential for accurately documenting aftercare of artificial openings during outpatient or follow-up visits, using the ICD-10 code for tracheostomy or the related ostomy depending on the specific opening managed.

Instructional Notations

Includes

This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.

  • closure of artificial openings
  • passage of sounds or bougies through artificial openings
  • reforming artificial openings
  • removal of catheter from artificial openings
  • toilet or cleansing of artificial openings

Type 1 Excludes

A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.

Type 2 Excludes

A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.

  • fitting and adjustment of prosthetic and other devices Z44 Z46