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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS01.321

S01.321

Billable

Laceration with foreign body of right ear

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 S01.321 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration with foreign body of right ear.

Key Diagnostic Point:

A laceration with a foreign body in the right ear typically occurs due to trauma, such as an accident involving sharp objects or penetrating injuries. This injury can result from various incidents, including falls, sports injuries, or assaults. The presence of a foreign body complicates the injury, as it may lead to infection, further tissue damage, or impaired hearing if not properly managed. Clinically, patients may present with pain, bleeding, and visible foreign material in the ear canal or external ear. Diagnosis involves a thorough physical examination, often supplemented by imaging studies if deeper structures are involved. Management includes careful removal of the foreign body, wound cleaning, and possibly suturing the laceration. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection, especially if the foreign body is organic or if the wound is contaminated. Follow-up care is essential to monitor for complications such as infection or hearing loss.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Presence of foreign body complicates the injury management.
  • Need for precise documentation of the foreign body type and location.
  • Potential for associated injuries requiring additional codes.
  • Variability in treatment approaches based on the foreign body type.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the foreign body type.
  • Failure to specify the mechanism of injury.
  • Misclassification of the injury severity.
  • Omission of associated injuries that may require additional coding.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must include the mechanism of injury, type of foreign body, and any immediate interventions performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Trauma cases from sports injuries, accidents, or assaults where the ear is involved.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all details regarding the injury and treatment are captured to support the coding.

Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Operative reports must detail the procedure for foreign body removal and any repairs made to the laceration.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Surgical intervention for complex lacerations with foreign bodies requiring repair.

Billing Considerations

Document any complications encountered during surgery that may affect coding.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S01.321 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the code accurately reflects the injury's specifics, including the presence of a foreign body and the affected site

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S01.321 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

69200CPT Code

Removal of foreign body from external ear canal

Clinical Scenario

Used when a foreign body is removed from the ear canal during a procedure.

Documentation Requirements

Document the type of foreign body and the method of removal.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine and ENT specialists should ensure accurate coding based on the procedure performed.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including those with foreign bodies, which enhances data accuracy and improves patient care tracking.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including those with foreign bodies, which enhances data accuracy and improves patient care tracking.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including those with foreign bodies, which enhances data accuracy and improves patient care tracking.

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

What should be documented for accurate coding of S01.321?

Document the mechanism of injury, type of foreign body, treatment provided, and any associated injuries to ensure accurate coding.