Toxic gastroenteritis and colitis

This code represents inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by the ingestion of toxic substances, such as contaminated food or chemicals. It manifests with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, resulting from the body's reaction to the harmful agent.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates gastroenteritis or colitis due to a toxic etiology. This includes cases of food poisoning where a specific toxin is implicated, or exposure to other ingested harmful substances leading to gastrointestinal symptoms. Documentation should specify the toxic exposure.

• Distinguish from infectious gastroenteritis (e.g., bacterial, viral) which has different ICD-9 codes.
• Always look for documentation of the specific toxic agent if known, as additional E-codes may be required to fully describe the circumstances.
• Do not use for non-toxic causes of gastroenteritis or colitis, such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.