K94.22

Billable

Gastrostomy infection

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 463 — Artificial Openings for Feeding or Elimination

0.233

V24HCC 188 — Artificial Openings for Feeding or Elimination

0.570

ESRDHCC 188 — Artificial Openings for Feeding or Elimination

0.000

What This Code Means

An infection at or around the gastrostomy site, which may include signs such as redness, drainage, fever, or peritonitis.

Coding Tips

•Document the causative organism if identified through culture to support coding accuracy
•Determine if the infection is localized to the stoma or involves deeper tissues/peritoneum, as this affects severity assessment

Clinical Significance

Gastrostomy infection represents a significant complication that can lead to sepsis, peritonitis, or systemic complications if not promptly treated. This diagnosis indicates active infection at the gastrostomy site requiring antibiotic therapy and close monitoring.

Documentation Requirements

✓Presence of functional gastrostomy tube
✓Clinical signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, purulent drainage)
✓Fever or other systemic signs of infection
✓Laboratory evidence supporting infection (elevated WBC, positive cultures)
✓Antibiotic treatment initiated or planned
✓Assessment of infection severity and extent
✓Culture results if obtained
✓Documentation of local versus systemic infection

Use Additional Code

code to specify type of infection, such as:
cellulitis of abdominal wall (L03.311)
sepsis (A40.-, A41.-)

Commonly Confused Codes

L03.311 — Cellulitis of abdominal wall without gastrostomy involvement K94.29 — Other gastrostomy complications without infection T85.79XA — Infection due to other internal prosthetic devices K65.9 — Peritonitis unspecified without gastrostomy involvement A41.9 — Sepsis unspecified without identified source

Code Hierarchy

└K94Complications of artificial openings of the digestive system └K94.2Gastrostomy complications └K94.22Gastrostomy infection

└K94.22Gastrostomy infection