Acute and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia

This code signifies a patient experiencing both acute and chronic respiratory failure, characterized by insufficient oxygenation of the blood (hypoxia). This indicates a sudden worsening of a pre-existing, long-term inability of the respiratory system to adequately exchange gases.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states both acute and chronic respiratory failure are present, and hypoxia is specifically noted as a contributing factor or consequence. This is common in patients with underlying chronic lung diseases (e.g., COPD) who experience an exacerbation leading to acute decompensation.

• Ensure the physician explicitly documents both "acute" and "chronic" respiratory failure, along with "hypoxia."
• Do not use this code if only acute or only chronic respiratory failure is documented; separate codes exist for those scenarios.
• Always sequence this code as a principal diagnosis when it is the reason for admission, or as a secondary diagnosis when it is a co-morbidity requiring significant clinical attention.