ICD-10 Code A36.82 | Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis Symptoms, Diagnosis, Billing

Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis is a rare neurological complication of diphtheria, characterized by inflammation of the spinal cord and nerve roots. It is caused by the diphtheria toxin affecting the nervous system, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis. Accurate coding with ICD-10 Code A36.82 is essential for proper diagnosis, documentation, medical billing, and public health reporting, ensuring that healthcare providers can effectively track and manage this serious condition.

What is ICD-10 Code A36.82 for Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis?

ICD-10 Code A36.82 represents Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis, a severe complication arising from diphtheria infection. This code should be used when documenting cases of radiculomyelitis that are directly linked to diphtheria, particularly in patients presenting with neurological symptoms following a diphtheria diagnosis. Accurate use of this code is critical for clinical documentation and billing purposes.

ICD-10 Code A36.82 – Clinical Definition and Explanation of Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis

Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis is caused by the neurotoxic effects of the diphtheria toxin, leading to inflammation of the spinal cord and nerve roots. This condition can progress rapidly, resulting in significant morbidity and necessitating immediate medical intervention.

Key Clinical Features:

• Muscle weakness and paralysis, particularly in the limbs.
• Sensory disturbances, including numbness or tingling.
• Dysphagia or difficulty swallowing due to muscle involvement.
• Potential respiratory compromise if respiratory muscles are affected.

ICD-10 Code A36.82 for Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis – SOAP Notes & Clinical Use

In SOAP notes, ICD-10 Code A36.82 is utilized to document the diagnosis of Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis, aiding in the assessment of symptoms, clinical findings, and treatment plans. This code is relevant in both acute and chronic care settings, ensuring comprehensive patient management.

What Does ICD-10 Code A36.82 for Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis Mean in SOAP Notes?

ICD-10 Code A36.82 connects subjective patient-reported symptoms and objective clinical findings to a formal diagnosis of Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis. This code is crucial for ensuring continuity of care, supporting accurate billing, and meeting EHR documentation standards.

Treatment Options for ICD-10 Code A36.82 – Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis

Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis requires urgent medical attention, often necessitating hospitalization for management. Treatment focuses on addressing the infection and supporting the patient's recovery.

Antibiotic Therapy:

• Penicillin G: 10-14 days.
• Erythromycin: 14 days as an alternative for penicillin-allergic patients.
• Diphtheria antitoxin: Administered as soon as diphtheria is suspected.

Supportive Care:

• Monitoring of respiratory function and vital signs.
• Physical therapy to maintain muscle strength and function.
• Nutritional support for patients with swallowing difficulties.

Infection Control:

• Isolation precautions to prevent transmission.
• Vaccination of close contacts to prevent outbreaks.
• Regular hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

How to Document Symptoms of Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis (ICD-10 A36.82) in SOAP Notes

Subjective:

• Patient reports progressive muscle weakness over the past week.
• Complaints of difficulty swallowing and speaking.
• History of recent diphtheria infection.
• Experiencing numbness in the extremities.

Objective:

• Neurological examination reveals decreased muscle strength in upper and lower limbs.
• Reflexes are diminished or absent.
• Vital signs stable but respiratory rate elevated.
• Swallowing assessment indicates significant impairment.

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SOAP Note Guidelines for Diagnosing Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis (ICD-10 Code A36.82)

Assessment:

• Diagnosis: Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis, moderate severity.
• ICD-10 Code: A36.82.
• Contributing factors: Recent diphtheria infection.
• Neurological symptoms consistent with toxin exposure.

Plan:

• Initiate antibiotic therapy with Penicillin G.
• Consult neurology for further evaluation.
• Implement physical therapy for muscle rehabilitation.
• Schedule follow-up in one week to reassess neurological status.

Treatment & Plan Section for ICD-10 Code A36.82 – Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis

• Administer appropriate antibiotics based on sensitivity.
• Provide supportive care including respiratory monitoring.
• Educate patient and family on the importance of follow-up care.
• Implement a rehabilitation plan to address muscle weakness.

Using ICD-10 Code A36.82 for Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis in Billing & SOAP Note Compliance

• Ensure accurate documentation of symptoms and clinical findings.
• Use the code in settings where diphtheritic complications are treated.
• Align treatment plans with clinical guidelines to support billing.
• Document all relevant patient interactions and treatment responses.

Related ICD-10 Codes Often Used with Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis

• A36.0 – Diphtheria, acute respiratory
• A36.1 – Diphtheria, cutaneous
• A36.9 – Diphtheria, unspecified
• G62.9 – Polyneuropathy, unspecified

ICD-10 Code A36.82 in Medical Billing and Insurance for Diphtheritic radiculomyelitis

ICD-10 Code A36.82 is critical in medical billing, particularly in hospital, ER, or infectious disease care settings.

Billing Notes:

• Document all relevant clinical findings to support the diagnosis.
• Use the code in conjunction with other related codes for comprehensive billing.
• Ensure that the patient's history of diphtheria is clearly noted.
• Include treatment plans and responses in documentation.

Common CPT Pairings: