Encoding ARDS

1. We have had a number of COVID-19 patients who have not been eligible for invasive ventilation but who have had all the criteria in general (except an endotracheal tube) for severe ARDS. How should these be coded? Not reasonable to put "Light ARDS". Should it be J80.9X?
   Answer:According to the Berlin definition, the invasive ventilation referred to is that the patient needs to be intubated or have a track in order to use the coding for moderate and severe ARDS. The studies that form the basis are invasive. If the NIV is to be included, the definition needs to be changed and we have not received any information about that yet. However, have seen studies regarding ARDS that have included NIV. But for the time being, sir applies to the original definition. If you do not think you can classify them easily ARDS then you have to choose J80.9X. For more information, see the ARDS section of the Diagnostic Guideline.

2. Invasively ventilated COVID-19 patients with different degrees of ARDS during the course of care: Should the highest severity (or more?) be indicated in the coding?
   Answer: If the patient has an ARDS that changes during the time of care, you should always choose a code and it is the one with the highest severity.

More COVID-19 encoding instructions can be found here