G8918 - Documentation that a patient did not receive a preoperative order for IV antibiotics to prevent surgical site infection
Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System
What is a HCPCS Code?
HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) codes are used to identify medical procedures, supplies, and services for billing purposes. These codes help standardize how healthcare services are reported and billed across different providers and insurance companies.
Detailed Description
This code indicates that a patient undergoing surgery did not have a preoperative order written for intravenous (IV) antibiotics that are typically given before surgery to help prevent surgical site infections (SSI). This is a quality reporting code used to track whether proper infection prevention protocols were followed. The absence of such an order may indicate a gap in standard surgical care protocols, as IV antibiotics before surgery are a common practice to reduce the risk of infection at the surgical site.
Additional Information
This is a reporting code used for quality measurement purposes to track adherence to surgical infection prevention protocols. It does not represent a billable service but rather documents a process measure.
Category
Quality Reporting/Performance Measurement
Medical Specialty
Surgery/Perioperative Care
Expected Costs
Your actual cost will depend on your insurance coverage, provider location, and specific circumstances.
What's Required Before This
- Scheduled for surgical procedure
What to Expect After
- Monitor for signs of surgical site infection
- Follow standard post-operative wound care
Why Understanding This Code Matters
On Your Medical Bill
This code appears on your medical bills to identify the specific service, procedure, drug, or medical diagnosis you received. Understanding what it means helps you verify you're being charged correctly and know what to expect.
For Your Health
Knowing what this code represents helps you understand your treatment plan, ask better questions during appointments, and track your healthcare journey more effectively.
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