Forum - Questions & Answers
Attempted catheter placement
Our surgeon attempted to place a catheter, and the op report states: attempts at supraclavicular venous access from the right and left side were unsuccessful. At this point it was felt that the patient had reached maximum operative benefit. My question is, would I code this the same as if the procedure had been completed or do I need a modifier to show the procedure was unsuccessful?
re: Attempted catheter placement
You can only code for what was completed...like any pictures that he took.
re: Attempted catheter placement
Append modifier -53 :53 DISCONTINUED PROCEDURE:
Under certain circumstances, the physician may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. Due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. This circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the physician for the discontinued procedure. Note: This modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. For outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (ASC) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure or service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for ASC hospital outpatient use).