Metabolic Encephalopathy and Toxic Metabolic Encephalopathy
If toxic encephalopathy and metabolic encephalopathy are due to two separate causes; both codes can be used fully capture the patient’s condition.
Example from 2Q 2024 Coding Clinic:
A patient presented to the ED with complaints of lethargy and was admitted and diagnosed with sepsis due to UTI. The patient was also diagnosed with metabolic encephalopathy due to the sepsis and toxic encephalopathy secondary to pain medication that was properly administered.
How are codes assigned for Metabolic Encephalopathy and Toxic Metabolic Encephalopathy?
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