Patient is ordered to return to the operating room to treat an infection of the surgical wound from a surgery she had on the abdomen three days ago. The coder will assign modifier _____ to the procedure code describing the cleaning and debridement of the infected wound.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Modifier 78 is used for an unplanned return to the operating room by the same physician following initial surgery for a related procedure during the postoperative period. This case involves treating an infection of the surgical wound, which is a related procedure.

Patient Is Ordered to Return to the Operating Room to Treat