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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS61.401

S61.401

Billable

Unspecified open wound of right hand

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/24/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 S61.401 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified open wound of right hand.

Key Diagnostic Point:

An unspecified open wound of the right hand refers to a traumatic injury that results in a break in the skin and exposure of underlying tissues, without a specific classification of the wound type (e.g., laceration, abrasion, or puncture). Such injuries can occur due to various mechanisms, including cuts from sharp objects, crush injuries, or bites. The right hand is particularly susceptible to injuries due to its frequent use in daily activities and occupational tasks. Open wounds can lead to complications such as infection, delayed healing, and potential damage to underlying structures, including tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. The clinical management of these wounds often involves thorough cleaning, possible suturing, and monitoring for signs of infection. In cases where deeper structures are involved, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair damaged tendons or nerves. Accurate coding is essential for proper treatment documentation and reimbursement, as well as for tracking injury patterns and outcomes in hand trauma cases.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in wound types and severity
  • Potential for associated injuries (e.g., fractures, tendon damage)
  • Need for detailed documentation of injury mechanism
  • Differentiation from similar codes for other hand injuries

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the injury mechanism
  • Failure to specify associated injuries (e.g., fractures, tendon injuries)
  • Inconsistent coding of similar injuries
  • Lack of follow-up documentation on treatment outcomes

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedic Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed descriptions of the injury, treatment plan, and any surgical procedures performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Fractures associated with open wounds, tendon repairs, and nerve decompression.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all surgical interventions are documented, including pre-operative and post-operative assessments.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive notes on the mechanism of injury, initial assessment, and treatment provided in the emergency setting.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Acute trauma cases presenting with open wounds, potential infections, and immediate surgical needs.

Billing Considerations

Document all interventions performed in the emergency department, including imaging and consultations.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S61.401 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, this code should be used when the specific type of open wound is not documented
  • Coders should ensure that the documentation supports the use of this unspecified code and consider the need for more specific codes if available

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S61.401 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12001CPT Code

Simple repair of superficial wounds

Clinical Scenario

Used for suturing an open wound on the right hand.

Documentation Requirements

Document the size of the wound and the method of repair.

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic surgeons may also document any associated tendon repairs.

26300CPT Code

Tendon repair

Clinical Scenario

Used when a tendon injury is identified during the treatment of an open wound.

Documentation Requirements

Detailed notes on the tendon involved and the repair technique used.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the repair is documented in conjunction with the open wound diagnosis.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of hand injuries, improving the granularity of data collected for treatment outcomes and resource allocation. S61.401 serves as a catch-all for unspecified cases, but coders should strive for specificity when possible.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of hand injuries, improving the granularity of data collected for treatment outcomes and resource allocation. S61.401 serves as a catch-all for unspecified cases, but coders should strive for specificity when possible.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of hand injuries, improving the granularity of data collected for treatment outcomes and resource allocation. S61.401 serves as a catch-all for unspecified cases, but coders should strive for specificity when possible.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use S61.401 instead of a more specific code?

Use S61.401 when the documentation does not specify the type of open wound or when the injury details are insufficient to assign a more specific code.