Prognosis
If the condition is treated quickly, recovery usually involves little to no consequences. However, if the person has more severe symptoms and residual problems, the prognosis may not be as good. Some people may suffer from frostbite or be more prone to developing hypothermia in the future. Still others may have other problems, such as alcoholism, mental health problems, or be elderly or homeless, which may contribute to a worse prognosis and even death. More deaths related to hypothermia happen indoors than outdoors, probably because it affects older people and the diagnosis is not made until it has progressed.

Diagnosis Coding
Let’s look at a couple coding scenarios.
Case #1
A 56-year-old female was brought to the ER after being …show more content…
There is also a note that states, “The appropriate 7th character is to be added to code T68.” This is an initial encounter, so the appropriate code to be assigned is T68.xxxA.
The Excludes note at T68 states, “Excludes 2 frostbite (T33-T34)”. This means that if the patient was diagnosed with hypothermia and frostbite, both would need to be coded.
Next, we need to move on to the frostbite of the bilateral ear lobes. We already know the Excludes 2 note (above) indicates that T33-T34 covers the frostbite codes, so we can go directly to those codes in the Tabular.

Looking under T33.0 Superficial frostbite of head, there is a subcategory at T33.01 - Superficial frostbite of ear. Then underneath that, we see T33.011 for Superficial frostbite of right ear, and T33.012 for Superficial frostbite of left ear. There is a note under T33 that states, “The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code form category T33.” In this case, it is an initial encounter, so “A” would need to be appended to each …show more content…
History showed no prenatal care had been given. The infant was found abandoned and gasping, with a heart rate of 50 beats/minute and was immediately brought to the ER. She was noted to have bradycardia and apnea, with a rectal temperature of 82.22 F (27.9 C). Patient was diagnosed with severe hypothermia, and intubation and CPR were immediately performed.

ICD-10-CM Code: P80.0 Cold injury syndrome

To locate the code in the ICD-10-CM Index, see Hypothermia (accidental), neonatal, severe (chronic) (Cold injury syndrome) P80.0. Confirmed in the Tabular, P80.0 refers to Cold injury syndrome.

We have discussed the ins and outs of accidental hypothermia and how to code for it. Hopefully, the next time you are exposed to cold temperatures, you will be dressed appropriately. And if a friend or loved one shows signs of hypothermia, you will know the necessary steps to take to keep them safe while waiting for paramedics to arrive. Fortunately, my Uncle Jim survived the condition without any problems, thanks to Julie’s help and the care of the medical team.
Just talking about hypothermia makes me cold. I think I’ll go turn up the