Skin Tear

I'm looking for an ICD-9 code for a skin tear - any ideas..??
Sara

Feb 1st, 2010 - nmaguire 2,606

Skin tears

Skin tears are typically coded as superficial wounds, using codes from categories 910-919 (Superficial injury), and coding by site.

Dec 18th, 2012 - Sahily3 1

re: Skin tears

I read somewhere that if the skin tear does not have the flap or may be complicated by another condition such as diabetes, it can be coded as an open wound? In this case, can they be coded as 881.x, for example--??

Dec 18th, 2012 - nmaguire 2,606

re: Skin tears

Skin tears may result from trauma - an accidental fall or intentional push - but that does not mean they can be coded as trauma wounds (Category 800). Skin tears are typically coded as superficial wounds, using codes from categories 910-919 (Superficial injury), and coding by site. http://www.silverchain.org.au/assets/GROUP/research/STAR-Skin-Tear-tool-04022010.pdf
If not superficial then wound, open can be considered.