NIHSS score 11

This code indicates a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 11, reflecting a moderate to severe neurological deficit in a patient who has experienced an acute ischemic stroke. The NIHSS is a standardized tool used to quantify the severity of stroke symptoms and assess neurological function.

This code is used when a patient's NIHSS score is documented as 11 following an acute stroke event. It is typically applied in the acute care setting, such as the emergency department or inpatient hospitalization, to track stroke severity and guide treatment decisions. Documentation should clearly state the NIHSS score.

• Always ensure the specific NIHSS score of 11 is explicitly documented by the clinician.
• This code should be sequenced after the primary diagnosis for the acute stroke (e.g., I63.x).
• Do not use this code if the NIHSS score is different; select the appropriate code for the documented score.