Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food or vomitus

This code represents an inflammatory reaction in the lung parenchyma resulting from the aspiration of gastric contents (vomitus) or food particles into the tracheobronchial tree. This aspiration event leads to chemical irritation and, potentially, secondary bacterial infection, causing acute lung injury.

Use this code for patients presenting with symptoms of aspiration pneumonitis, such as acute respiratory distress, cough, fever, and infiltrates on chest imaging, following a documented aspiration event. Documentation should clearly link the lung inflammation to the inhalation of food or vomitus.

• Distinguish from bacterial pneumonia (J10-J18 in ICD-10-CM) where aspiration is not the primary cause of the inflammatory response.
• Ensure documentation specifies "pneumonitis" due to aspiration, not just "aspiration pneumonia" without further detail on the substance.
• Consider additional codes for underlying conditions contributing to aspiration, such as dysphagia or altered mental status.