September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month! The declaration was signed by President Biden on Aug. 30. Congress designated this month to highlight the need for research and treatment of sickle cell disease.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. It affects around 100,000 Americans, and 8 million people worldwide. People are born with this disease. It involves a change in the gene that tells the body to make hemoglobin.
SCD is characterized by a change in the shape of some red blood cells, which come to resemble a sickle. The change in the shape can cause a blockage in the flow of blood, which results in recurring episodes of pain. These episodes are called “crises.” Some early signs or symptoms may include yellowing of skin and eyes, fatigue from anemia, and painful swelling of hands and feet.
Screening blood tests are used to diagnosis SCD. There are medicines to treat the symptoms of SCD. Blood transfusions may be used to manage complications. The only cure is a bone marrow transplant.
In ICD-10-CM, sickle cell disease is found in category D57 (Sickle Cell Disorders). There is a coding instruction at the category level to use additional code for any associated fever (R50.81). There are different codes available depending on the type of SCD involved – HbC, Hb-SD, HbSE, or other specified.
The codes include manifestations, such as the following:
- Acute chest syndrome – D57.01
- Cerebrovascular involvement – D57.03
- Crisis – D57.00
- Dactylitis – D57.04
- Pain – D57.00
- Elliptocytosis – D57.8-
The National Institute of Health recommends the following steps to reduce SCD complications:
- Receive routine medical care;
- Stay current on vaccines;
- Learn to manage the pain; and
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle.
As a coder, it is important to capture the specifics of each patient’s SCD. The data is utilized by many organizations.
Programming note:
Listen to senior healthcare consultant report this story live during today’s Talk Ten Tuesday with Chuck Buck at 10 Eastern.
Resources:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sickle-cell-disease
