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What is the purpose of 'inclusion' notes?
Inclusion notes clarify the content and intended use of the chapter,
block, category or subcategory to which the notes apply. They
give examples of the conditions and diagnoses classified at the
chapter, block, category or code. The listed inclusion terms are
not exhaustive and alternative
diagnoses are listed in the Alphabetical Index.
Inclusion notes appearing under chapter and block titles usually give
a
general definition of the content of the section to which they apply.
These inclusion notes apply to all categories within the chapter or
block.
Inclusion notes at four character code level are not preceded by the
abbreviation Incl.:
,What is the purpose of 'excludes' notes?
Exclusion notes are used to prevent a category or code from being
used incorrectly:
• They inform the coder that, although the category or code
description may suggest the term could be classified here, it is in
fact classified elsewhere, however
• They do not always prevent the use of the code from the
category the exclusion note appears in; they can indicate that a
code from a different category should be assigned in addition
to fully reflect the patient's
diagnoses.
,What is the purpose of 'use' notes?
The 'use' note is a specific instruction to use an additional code in
order to describe a condition more completely and, just like other
types of notes, can be found at chapter, block, three character
category and fourth
character subcategory levels. The 'use' note is never optional
and must always be adhered to where the information is
available in the medical record
What is the purpose of 'if desired' notes?
Where a note states to 'Use an additional code, if desired' to add
further information about the disorder, where that information is
present in the medical record the additional code must be assigned.
What is the purpose of 'are for use with' notes?
Where a note contains the phrase 'are for use with', this instruction is
mandatory, and the four-character subdivisions referred to must be
used
Name all the types of punctuation found within ICD.
Brace |
Square brackets [ ]
Colon :
Point dash .-
Parentheses ( )
, What is the purpose of the Brace | within ICD?
Braces (indicated by a vertical line in the Tabular List) are used in
inclusion and exclusion notes to indicate that both the listed
condition and one of its modifiers must be present in order to
complete the instruction. Braces
enclose a series of terms, modified by the statement appearing at
the right of the brace.
What is the purpose of Square brackets [ ] within ICD?
Square brackets are used to:
• enclose synonyms, alternative words, or explanatory phrases
• enclose an instruction to 'see' previously listed subdivisions
common to a number of categories
• refer to a previous 'see' note.
What is the purpose of the Colon : within ICD?
A colon is used above a list of bulleted modifiers (•) in the Tabular
List. The word preceding the colon must be followed by one of
the bulleted
modifiers in order for that code to be assigned.
What is the purpose of the Point dash .- within ICD?
A point-dash is used in both the Tabular List and the Alphabetical
Index to indicate there are fourth character subdivisions.