Flail chest assoc with chest comprsn and cardiopulm resus

This code identifies a flail chest injury that is directly linked to the application of chest compressions and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A flail chest occurs when a segment of the rib cage breaks and detaches from the rest of the chest wall, leading to paradoxical movement during respiration. In this specific context, the trauma causing the flail chest is iatrogenic, resulting from the resuscitative efforts.

Use this code when documentation clearly states that a flail chest developed as a direct complication of chest compressions during CPR. This typically occurs in patients who have undergone resuscitation for cardiac arrest. Documentation should explicitly link the flail chest to the CPR event, often noting rib fractures and the characteristic paradoxical chest wall motion.

• Ensure documentation specifies the flail chest is associated with CPR, not merely present in a patient who received CPR.
• Code any associated rib fractures separately, if documented, using appropriate S22.x codes.
• Consider sequencing this code after the primary diagnosis for which CPR was performed, as it represents a complication of treatment.