NIHSS score 14

This code indicates a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 14, reflecting a moderate to severe neurological deficit following an acute stroke. The NIHSS is a standardized tool used to quantify the severity of stroke symptoms based on a neurological examination. A score of 14 suggests significant impairment across multiple neurological domains.

Assign this code when documentation explicitly states an NIHSS score of 14, typically assessed during the acute phase of an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. This score is crucial for guiding treatment decisions, predicting patient outcomes, and tracking neurological status over time. The score must be clearly documented by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional.

• Ensure the documentation clearly specifies "NIHSS score 14" and not a range or approximation.
• This code is always a secondary diagnosis, accompanying the primary diagnosis code for the specific type of stroke (e.g., I63.x for ischemic stroke).
• Do not code based on an estimated or implied severity; a documented NIHSS score is required.