Chronic pulmonary insufficiency following surgery

This code signifies a persistent impairment of lung function that develops as a direct consequence of a surgical procedure. It describes a long-term inability of the lungs to adequately oxygenate the blood or remove carbon dioxide, occurring after an operation.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates chronic respiratory compromise directly attributable to a prior surgery. This typically applies to patients experiencing ongoing dyspnea, hypoxemia, or hypercapnia that began post-operatively and has persisted. Supporting documentation should include physician notes detailing the chronic nature and the causal link to surgery.

• Differentiate from acute post-operative respiratory failure; this code is for chronic conditions.
• Review operative reports and post-operative progress notes to establish the causal link between surgery and the chronic pulmonary insufficiency.
• Be mindful of the Excludes2 note; do not use for functional disturbances specifically following cardiac surgery, as those have their own dedicated codes.