Fecal urgency

This code describes the symptom of a sudden, compelling need to defecate that is difficult to defer. It indicates an urgent sensation to pass stool, often leading to a rush to the toilet. This symptom can be a manifestation of various underlying gastrointestinal or neurological conditions.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states "fecal urgency" as a presenting symptom or a component of the patient's chief complaint. It is appropriate when the urgency is a primary focus of the encounter or when further investigation into its cause is warranted. Supporting documentation would include patient-reported symptoms, physician notes detailing the urgency, and potentially a history of present illness.

• Do not use this code if the urgency is directly attributable to and fully explained by another definitive diagnosis (e.g., acute gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease) that is also being coded.
• Consider sequencing this code as a secondary diagnosis when the underlying cause is known and coded as the primary diagnosis.
• Distinguish from fecal incontinence (R15.0, R15.1, R15.9), which involves involuntary leakage of stool, though urgency can precede incontinence.