ICD-10 Code A52.71 | Late syphilitic oculopathy Symptoms, Diagnosis, Billing

Late syphilitic oculopathy is a severe manifestation of syphilis that affects the eyes, leading to potential vision loss. It is caused by the Treponema pallidum bacterium and is clinically significant due to its association with advanced syphilis stages. Accurate coding with ICD-10 Code A52.71 is essential for proper diagnosis, documentation, medical billing, and public health reporting, ensuring that healthcare providers can track and manage this serious condition effectively.

What is ICD-10 Code A52.71 for Late syphilitic oculopathy?

ICD-10 Code A52.71 represents Late syphilitic oculopathy, a condition resulting from untreated syphilis that can lead to serious ocular complications. This code should be used when documenting cases of ocular involvement in patients with late-stage syphilis, ensuring accurate billing and clinical records that reflect the severity and implications of the disease.

ICD-10 Code A52.71 – Clinical Definition and Explanation of Late syphilitic oculopathy

Late syphilitic oculopathy occurs as a result of the systemic effects of untreated syphilis, particularly during its tertiary stage. The condition can lead to significant ocular damage, including retinitis and chorioretinitis, necessitating prompt medical intervention to prevent irreversible vision loss.

Key Clinical Features:

• Visual disturbances, including blurred vision or loss of vision.
• Presence of ocular inflammation or lesions.
• History of untreated syphilis or late-stage syphilis.
• Potential for systemic symptoms such as headache or neurological involvement.

ICD-10 Code A52.71 for Late syphilitic oculopathy – SOAP Notes & Clinical Use

ICD-10 Code A52.71 is utilized in SOAP notes to document the presence of late syphilitic oculopathy, 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 A52.71 for Late syphilitic oculopathy Mean in SOAP Notes?

In SOAP notes, ICD-10 Code A52.71 connects subjective patient-reported symptoms with objective clinical findings, facilitating a formal diagnosis. This code is crucial for ensuring continuity of care, supporting accurate billing, and meeting EHR documentation standards.

Treatment Options for ICD-10 Code A52.71 – Late syphilitic oculopathy

Late syphilitic oculopathy requires urgent medical attention, often necessitating hospitalization for effective management. Treatment typically involves antibiotic therapy to address the underlying syphilis infection.

Antibiotic Therapy:

• Benzathine penicillin G: 2.4 million units IM once weekly for 3 weeks.
• Doxycycline: 100 mg orally twice daily for 28 days (alternative).
• Tetracycline: 500 mg orally four times daily for 28 days (alternative).

Supportive Care:

• Regular ophthalmologic evaluations to monitor vision changes.
• Management of ocular symptoms with topical medications.
• Patient education on the importance of adherence to treatment.

Infection Control:

• Implement standard precautions to prevent transmission.
• Educate patients on safe practices to reduce risk of syphilis spread.
• Monitor for outbreaks in community settings.

How to Document Symptoms of Late syphilitic oculopathy (ICD-10 A52.71) in SOAP Notes

Subjective:

• Patient reports blurred vision and difficulty focusing.
• History of untreated syphilis with recent ocular symptoms.
• Complaints of headaches associated with visual disturbances.

Objective:

• Ophthalmic examination reveals retinal lesions.
• Visual acuity testing shows decreased vision in affected eye.
• Fundoscopic examination indicates signs of inflammation.

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SOAP Note Guidelines for Diagnosing Late syphilitic oculopathy (ICD-10 Code A52.71)

Assessment:

• Diagnosis: Late syphilitic oculopathy, moderate severity.
• ICD-10 Code: A52.71.
• Contributing factors: History of untreated syphilis, recent ocular symptoms.

Plan:

• Initiate benzathine penicillin G treatment as per guidelines.
• Schedule follow-up ophthalmology appointment in 1 month.
• Educate patient on the importance of completing antibiotic therapy.

Treatment & Plan Section for ICD-10 Code A52.71 – Late syphilitic oculopathy

• First-line treatment with benzathine penicillin G.
• Consider alternative antibiotics for penicillin-allergic patients.
• Regular monitoring of visual acuity and ocular health.
• Patient education on syphilis transmission and prevention.

Using ICD-10 Code A52.71 for Late syphilitic oculopathy in Billing & SOAP Note Compliance

• Ensure accurate documentation of symptoms and history in SOAP notes.
• Use A52.71 for billing when ocular symptoms are present in late syphilis.
• Align treatment plans with clinical guidelines to support billing.
• Document any relevant comorbidities or complications.

Related ICD-10 Codes Often Used with Late syphilitic oculopathy

• A52.70 – Late syphilis, unspecified
• A52.72 – Late syphilitic cardiovascular disease
• A52.73 – Late syphilitic neurological disease

ICD-10 Code A52.71 in Medical Billing and Insurance for Late syphilitic oculopathy

ICD-10 Code A52.71 is critical in medical billing, particularly in hospital, ER, or infectious disease care settings.

Billing Notes:

• Document all relevant patient history and symptoms to support claims.
• Use A52.71 in conjunction with other codes for comprehensive billing.
• Ensure compliance with payer requirements for documentation.

Common CPT Pairings: