Underdosing of macrolides, initial encounter

This code indicates that a patient has received less than the prescribed or recommended dose of a macrolide antibiotic. This underdosing could lead to insufficient therapeutic effect, potentially causing treatment failure or the development of antibiotic resistance.

Use this code when documentation clearly states that a macrolide antibiotic was administered in a quantity lower than intended, and this is the first time the patient is being seen for this specific underdosing event. This applies to situations where the patient self-administered incorrectly or a healthcare provider inadvertently prescribed or dispensed an insufficient amount.

• Always confirm the specific class of antibiotic (macrolide) before assigning this code.
• Ensure the documentation specifies "underdosing" and not simply a missed dose without further clinical consequence.
• The 7th character "A" indicates an initial encounter, meaning the patient is receiving active treatment for the underdosing event.