Hematemesis

This code represents the vomiting of blood, indicating active or recent gastrointestinal bleeding. The blood may appear bright red, dark red, or resemble coffee grounds, depending on the source and duration of the bleeding. Hematemesis is a symptom, not a definitive diagnosis of the underlying cause.

Use this code when the patient's medical record explicitly documents the presence of hematemesis. This typically occurs in emergency department visits, inpatient admissions for GI bleeding, or outpatient follow-up for recent bleeding episodes. Documentation should clearly state the patient is vomiting blood.

• Always code the underlying cause of the hematemesis if known and documented (e.g., peptic ulcer, esophageal varices).
• Do not confuse hematemesis with hemoptysis (coughing up blood) or melena (black, tarry stools).
• If the cause of the hematemesis is unknown at the time of coding, this code can be used as a primary diagnosis.