What Is the Table of Drugs & Chemicals?
Medical coding the Table of Drugs & Chemicals is an alphabetical list of substances—including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, alcohols, gases, industrial chemicals, and other agents—that can cause toxic or adverse effects.
For each substance, the table provides a set of possible categories and codes based on the circumstances of exposure or use.
ICD10Data Table of Drugs https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Table_Of_Drugs
Steps to Use the Table
Identify the Substance
- Review the provider documentation to determine the exact drug, chemical, or substance involved.
- If the documentation is vague (e.g., “pain medication”), query the provider for clarification, since specificity is required.
Go to the Table of Drugs & Chemicals in the Alphabetic Index
- Locate the substance in alphabetical order.
- For example: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Carbon Monoxide, or Bleach.
Choose the Correct Column
Each substance has rows with six columns that correspond to the nature of the encounter:
1. Poisoning, Accidental (Unintentional) – Incorrect substance taken or wrong dose by mistake.
2. Poisoning, Intentional Self-Harm – Substance taken deliberately with the intent to harm oneself.
3. Poisoning, Assault – Substance administered by another person with the intent to harm.
4. Poisoning, Undetermined – When it’s unclear whether the poisoning was accidental, intentional, or assault.
5. Adverse Effect – A reaction to a substance taken correctly (e.g., prescribed dosage, but resulted in a side effect.
6. Underdosing – When a patient takes less of a medication than prescribed,it often leads to worsening of the condition.
Verify the Code in the Tabular List
- Always confirm the code in the Tabular List to ensure it matches documentation, includes the correct 7th character (if needed), and reflects any additional instructional notes.
- The Table provides suggested categories, but the final code selection comes from the Tabular List.
Assign Additional Codes
- If coding for poisoning, you may need to add codes for manifestations (e.g., seizures, coma).
- For adverse effects, assign the code for the manifestation first, followed by the drug adverse effect code.
- For underdosing, add a code to explain noncompliance or the reason for underdosing (e.g., financial hardship, patient refusal).
Example Scenarios
- Case 1: Accidental overdose of Ibuprofen
- Locate “Ibuprofen” in the Table → Poisoning, Accidental column → category T39.311A (Poisoning by ibuprofen, accidental, initial encounter).
- Verify in Tabular List.
- Case 2: Allergic reaction after correct penicillin use
- Locate “Penicillin” → Adverse Effect column → category T36.0X5A.
- Code the allergic reaction (e.g., urticaria) first, then add the adverse effect code.
- Case 3: Patient intentionally takes too much acetaminophen
- Locate “Acetaminophen” → Poisoning, Intentional Self-Harm column → T39.1X2A.
- Confirm in Tabular List.
Key Tips for Coders
- Do not assign codes directly from the Table—always verify in the Tabular List.
- Pay attention to 7th characters: “A” (initial), “D” (subsequent), or “S” (sequela).
- Be precise—look up the specific drug/chemical, not just the drug class, when possible.
- Use additional external cause codes (e.g., place of occurrence, activity) if required by guidelines.
The Table of Drugs & Chemicals is your starting point for coding toxic effects, poisonings, adverse effects, and underdosing. Proper navigation—substance, column, verification in the Tabular List, and sequencing—ensures accurate ICD-10-CM reporting and supports quality healthcare data.
ICD-10 Steps https://codingclarified.com/medical-coding-steps-for-icd-10-cm/