Hepatitis A with hepatic coma

This code signifies an acute inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus, specifically when the infection has progressed to include hepatic coma. Hepatic coma, a severe form of hepatic encephalopathy, indicates profound liver failure affecting brain function.

Assign this code when documentation clearly states a diagnosis of Hepatitis A and explicitly mentions the presence of hepatic coma. This typically occurs in cases of severe acute liver failure due to HAV. Supporting documentation would include physician notes detailing the diagnosis, laboratory confirmation of HAV infection, and clinical findings consistent with hepatic coma (e.g., altered mental status, asterixis, elevated ammonia levels).

• Ensure documentation specifies "hepatic coma" and not just "hepatic encephalopathy" without further qualification, as other codes exist for less severe encephalopathy.
• Do not use this code if the hepatic coma is due to a different etiology, even if Hepatitis A is also present but not the cause of the coma.
• Sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when the hepatic coma is the reason for the encounter or hospitalization.