General coding standards
Dagger and asterisk dual classification
A generalized disease with an organ-specific manifestation is described by two codes: the aetiology (dagger) and the manifestation (asterisk).
What this means in practice
- The dagger code carries the underlying aetiology and is sequenced first. The asterisk code carries the manifestation in a particular organ or site.
- An asterisk code can never stand alone as a primary diagnosis - it is only valid when paired with its dagger code.
- Example handled by the explorer: selecting the retina surfaces the diabetic aetiology code alongside the retinopathy manifestation code, with the required sequencing shown on the card.
Where the explorer applies it
degenerative
Source and licensing.
Summaries below are original text written for this product and point to the named CIHI standard; they are not a reproduction of it. CIHI content may be reproduced unaltered for non-commercial purposes with attribution - commercial reproduction requires CIHI's prior written authorization.
Canadian Institute for Health Information. Canadian Coding Standards for Version 2022 ICD-10-CA and CCI. Ottawa, ON: CIHI; 2022. CIHI codes and classifications
Canadian Institute for Health Information. Canadian Coding Standards for Version 2022 ICD-10-CA and CCI. Ottawa, ON: CIHI; 2022. CIHI codes and classifications