2025 ICD-10-CM code O88.8
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Complications predominantly related to the puerperium - Other obstetric embolism Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A) Feed
Other obstetric embolism, excluding specific types like air, amniotic fluid, thromboembolism, or pyemic/septic embolism.
Medical necessity is established through clinical findings consistent with an embolic event, including symptoms and diagnostic evidence.The lack of identifiable specific type of embolism needs careful clinical justification.
The clinical responsibility lies with the obstetrician or other qualified healthcare professional managing the pregnancy and postpartum care.Accurate diagnosis requires thorough clinical evaluation, including assessment of symptoms, risk factors, and imaging studies (if appropriate).
In simple words: This code is for a blood clot or other blockage in a blood vessel that happens during pregnancy, childbirth, or the time right after childbirth, but isn't one of the more common types of blockages.Doctors use this code when the specific type of blockage isn't known or is different from other, more specific types.
This code classifies any type of embolism occurring during pregnancy, childbirth, or the puerperium that doesn't fit into the more specific categories of obstetric air embolism (O88.0), amniotic fluid embolism (O88.1), obstetric thromboembolism (O88.2), or obstetric pyemic and septic embolism (O88.3).It encompasses various emboli not otherwise specified, requiring detailed clinical documentation to support the diagnosis.
Example 1: A 35-year-old woman presents postpartum with sudden shortness of breath and chest pain.Imaging reveals a pulmonary embolism, but the source cannot be definitively identified as amniotic fluid, air, or a thrombus.O88.8 is coded., A 28-year-old woman experiences a sudden onset of neurological symptoms during labor.Investigations show an embolic event, but the nature of the embolus (fat, thrombus, etc.) remains unclear. O88.8 is appropriate., A patient develops a severe allergic reaction after receiving an intravenous medication during labor. The reaction leads to a circulatory collapse and subsequent multi-organ failure due to embolus. Because the source of the embolus is an allergic reaction it cannot be categorized into other sub-categories of O88 and therefore, code O88.8 is used.
Detailed clinical notes documenting the patient's presentation, symptoms, physical examination findings, diagnostic test results (imaging, labs), treatment, and outcome are crucial.Specify the time of occurrence in relation to pregnancy, childbirth, or puerperium. If possible, specify the type of embolus.
** This code requires precise documentation to justify its use.If the type of embolism is identifiable, a more specific O88 code should be employed.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Obstetrics, Gynecology, Emergency Medicine, Cardiology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center