Chemical pneumonitis due to anesthesia

This code represents an inflammatory reaction in the lungs caused by the inhalation or aspiration of irritating chemical substances, specifically those related to anesthetic agents. This condition is a direct consequence of exposure to anesthetics, leading to lung injury and inflammation.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates pneumonitis resulting from the chemical effects of an anesthetic agent. This typically occurs in a post-procedural setting where anesthesia was administered, and the patient subsequently develops symptoms of chemical pneumonitis.

• Ensure documentation specifies "chemical pneumonitis" and explicitly links it to "anesthesia" as the causative agent.
• Carefully review the "Excludes1" notes to avoid incorrect co-coding with aspiration pneumonitis due to anesthesia complicating pregnancy, labor and delivery, or the puerperium.
• Distinguish this from aspiration pneumonitis (J69.0), which is due to food or vomit, and other forms of drug-induced interstitial lung disorders.