In simple words: This code indicates the presence of small pieces of radioactive material left inside the body, other than the specific types mentioned in other codes.

This code describes a situation where a patient has retained radioactive fragments, other than those specified elsewhere, within their body.This could include depleted isotope fragments or other non-therapeutic radioactive materials.This is a reportable condition influencing the patient's health status.

Example 1: A patient undergoing a nuclear medicine procedure has a small amount of radioactive tracer inadvertently leak into surrounding tissues. The leaked tracer, now considered a retained fragment, is documented with Z18.09., A worker in a nuclear power plant experiences a minor incident resulting in minute radioactive particles becoming embedded in their skin. After initial decontamination, some particles remain, necessitating the use of Z18.09., A patient receives radiotherapy with radioactive implants. After the intended treatment period, a fragment of the implant breaks off and remains within the body, requiring coding with Z18.09.

Documentation should clearly specify the type of radioactive fragment retained, the date and circumstances of the event leading to retention, the location of the fragment within the body, associated symptoms, and any planned treatment or monitoring.

** Z18.09 is exempt from the Present on Admission (POA) reporting requirement.