N99.521

Billable

Infection of incontinent external stoma of urinary tract

HCC Category Mapping

V24HCC 176 — Complications of Specified Implanted Device or Graft

0.529

ESRDHCC 176 — Complications of Specified Implanted Device or Graft

0.000

What This Code Means

An infection develops at or around an incontinent external urinary stoma, the surgically created opening on the skin for continuous urine drainage. The infection may involve the stoma site or surrounding skin.

Coding Tips

•Document the causative organism if culture results are available
•Confirm this is an incontinent stoma (not a continent or catheterizable pouch)

Clinical Significance

Infection of an incontinent external urinary stoma poses serious risks including sepsis, stoma failure, and need for surgical revision. This complication requires prompt antibiotic therapy and specialized wound care to prevent systemic complications.

Documentation Requirements

✓Documentation of incontinent external urinary stoma presence
✓Signs and symptoms of infection (erythema, purulence, warmth)
✓Culture results if obtained
✓Systemic signs of infection if present
✓Antibiotic therapy initiated or planned
✓Response to treatment documented
✓Any complications from the infection

Commonly Confused Codes

N99.520 — Hemorrhage of incontinent external stoma (bleeding vs infection)N39.0 — Urinary tract infection, site not specified (UTI vs stoma infection)L03.90 — Cellulitis, unspecified (general skin infection)T83.59XA — Infection due to other urinary catheter (catheter vs stoma infection)

Code Hierarchy

└N99Intraoperative and postprocedural complications and disorders of genitourinary system, not elsewhere classified └N99.5Complications of stoma of urinary tract └N99.52Complication of incontinent external stoma of urinary tract └N99.521Infection of incontinent external stoma of urinary tract

└N99.521Infection of incontinent external stoma of urinary tract