Laminaria

What is a laminaria? When is it used? How would this be coded in ICD-10-PCS? This edition of “In the kNOW” delves into these questions. 

A laminaria is a type of hygroscopic osmotic dilator. These medical devices work to dilate the cervix, which is also called cervical ripening. The hygroscopic osmotic dilator absorbs fluid which makes the device swell up. This process causes the cervix to soften and open. The use of hygroscopic osmotic dilators may be to induce labor or an abortion or provide access for other gynecological procedures.

Laminaria are composed of dried and sterilized seaweed. They are processed into a thin stick which can easily be inserted in the cervix. Over time, the laminaria absorbs fluid and enlarges thus ripening the cervix. Laminaria are rarely kept in place for more than 24 hours and often less. To accurately account for this device when coding in ICD-10-PCS, the April 1st update for 2025 debuted a new Qualifier for this procedure-Temporary. As you can see by the PCS table below, in the Female Reproductive body system, Dilation of the Cervix body part via a natural or artificial opening, with an intraluminal device, the new Qualifier is J for Temporary. The full ICD-10-PCS code would be 0U7C7DJ.

This procedure is considered non-OR and therefore, will not have any impact on the DRG assignment for the account. 

Now you are In the kNOW!!

About the Author

Dianna Foley, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CHPS, has 25 years of HIM experience. She’s an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, an AHIMA-published author, a participant in AHIMA credential item writing and exam development, and served on the AHIMA Nominating Committee. She presents on coding topics at the national, state, and regional levels and serves as OHIMA’s Education Coordinator.

OHIMA Board President Welcome FY2025-26

Hello OHIMA Members,

 

My name is Kristi Fahy Wesolek, and I’m honored to serve as your 2025-2026 OHIMA Board President. To say I’m excited and grateful for this opportunity would be an understatement because we are entering a time of change, and growth, and lots of untapped opportunity—and I truly believe this is our moment to move forward together as a profession.

In 2022, the Executive Board revamped OHIMA’s Strategic Plan to better align with our vision for the future. At the heart of this plan are three pillars: Educate, Engage, Advocate. So literally everything we do as a Board from this point on centers around these values—and this year, we’re reimagining how OHIMA actually operates so that we can better serve you, our members.

Get ready for expanded educational opportunities with lots of fresh, forward-thinking content—including at our 2026 Annual OHIMA Conference, which is March 9–11, and the theme is going to be: From Buds to Branches: Growing HIM Together.

We’re also going to be introducing new ways for you to engage with the OHIMA community—we’ve got fun networking events, lots of dynamic volunteer opportunities, plus you’re going to see a stronger presence on social media with more engaging content and videos.

And then finally, it’s time we amplify the voice of our profession as healthcare continues to evolve especially with the advancement of all sorts of new technology and regulations. Health Information professionals are vital to the future of healthcare and OHIMA is going to be developing new tools and resources to help you advocate for your role, to help you advocate for your career growth, and of course the qualifications that actually define our field.

Lots of exciting times ahead, and I’m honored to lead during this chapter. Thank you for trusting in me. If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved with OHIMA, consider this your sign: attend that event, pursue that certification, or even just step into a new volunteer role. However you choose to grow, please know that OHIMA is here to support you.

Thank you—and cheers to a very bright year ahead for all of us!

Kristi Fahy Wesolek, RHIA
President, OHIMA 2025–2026
President@ohima.org