I48.0 - Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Clinical Definition

Asthma, specified as intermittent, is a reversible airway obstruction characterized by sporadic episodes occurring less than twice per week, with nighttime awakenings occurring less than twice per month. Between episodes, the patient is typically asymptomatic with normal lung function.

Documentation Requirements

• Frequency/Pattern:

  • Must document episodes occur < 2 times per week

  • Nocturnal symptoms < 2 times per month

• Severity:

  • FEV1 > 80% predicted

  • FEV1/FVC > 80%

• Control Status:

  • Document if controlled or uncontrolled

• Treatment Plan:

  • Usually only requires short-acting beta agonists (SABA) as needed

• Exacerbation Status:

  • Note presence/absence of current exacerbation

Common Synonyms

• Mild asthma

• Occasional asthma

• Sporadic asthma

• Exercise-induced asthma (when occurring only with activity)

Coding Conflicts

Excludes1:

• Severe persistent asthma

• Moderate persistent asthma

• Mild persistent asthma

Excludes2:

• Acute severe asthma

• Status asthmaticus

Scribing.io Automation

The AI scribe automatically identifies and captures:

• Frequency descriptors ("less than twice weekly")

• Nighttime symptom patterns

• Peak flow or spirometry values

• Treatment descriptions (especially SABA use)

• Keywords indicating intermittent pattern

• Absence of daily medication requirements

When these elements are mentioned in the encounter, they're automatically tagged for proper coding of intermittent asthma.