2025 ICD-10-CM code Z77.21
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Factors influencing health status and contact with health services - Persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health status (Z77-Z99) Z Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99) Feed
Contact with and (suspected) exposure to potentially hazardous body fluids.
Medical necessity is established by the potential for infection following exposure to potentially hazardous body fluids. The specific medical necessity requirements may vary depending on the type of body fluid involved and the circumstances of the exposure.
Clinicians use this code to document potential exposure to hazardous body fluids. This is important for tracking potential infections and guiding appropriate follow-up care, which may include testing and prophylactic treatment.
- Z Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)
- Z77 Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other potentially hazardous factors
In simple words: This code is used when someone has possibly been exposed to body fluids that could be harmful.
Contact with and (suspected) exposure to potentially hazardous body fluids. This code is used when a person has come into contact with or is suspected of having been exposed to body fluids that may pose a health risk.It includes contact with blood, semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, and other body fluids that may carry infectious agents.
Example 1: A nurse sustains a needlestick injury while drawing blood from a patient. The code Z77.21 would be used to document the nurse's potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens., A laboratory technician accidentally spills a sample of cerebrospinal fluid on their hand.Z77.21 would be appropriate to document this potential exposure., A paramedic provides first aid to a victim of a motor vehicle accident who is bleeding profusely.The paramedic may use Z77.21 to document their potential exposure to the victim's blood.
Documentation should clearly specify the type of body fluid involved, the circumstances of the exposure, and any resulting injuries (e.g., needlestick injury, splash to mucous membranes).If the source individual is known, their relevant medical history should also be documented.
** This code specifically refers to suspected or confirmed contact with potentially hazardous body fluids.It does not include exposure to other hazardous materials. For exposures related to communicable diseases, use Z20 series codes. Z77.21 is not a principal diagnosis for inpatient admissions according to Medicare Code Edits. Contact with HIV should be coded as Z20.6.Other specified personal history presenting hazards to health, use V15.89
- Specialties:Emergency medicine, infectious disease, occupational medicine, laboratory medicine, nursing
- Place of Service:Ambulance - Land, Ambulance - Air or Water, Emergency Room - Hospital, Home, Inpatient Hospital, Office, Outpatient Hospital, Other Place of Service