Could you clarify the ICD-9 coding difference between secondary postpartum hemorrhage and third-stage postpartum hemorrhage?
A
The third stage lasts until the entire placenta has been delivered. Therefore the diagnosis code for third-stage postpartum hemorrhage (666.0X) means that the baby was delivered, but that sometime before 24 hours elapsed, retained placenta caused bleeding. Secondary postpartum hemorrhage (666.2X) occurs more than 24 hours after delivery due to retained placenta.
