Failure of sterile precautions during endoscopic examination

This code signifies a breakdown in aseptic technique during an endoscopic procedure, leading to potential contamination or infection risk. It indicates that the necessary measures to maintain a sterile field were not adequately followed.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states a breach of sterile precautions during any endoscopic examination, such as a colonoscopy, gastroscopy, or bronchoscopy. This includes instances where equipment was not properly sterilized, or aseptic protocols were otherwise compromised.

• Always look for specific documentation of "failure of sterile precautions" or similar language.
• Do not use this code for post-procedural infections unless the infection is directly attributed to the documented sterile precaution failure.
• This code is for the event of failure, not necessarily the resulting complication.