One-liner#

Office I&D of uncomplicated skin abscesses when appropriate, with culture and follow-up planning as needed.

Don’t miss / refer urgently#

• Necrotizing infection concern (pain out of proportion, rapid progression, systemic toxicity)
• Large/complex abscess in high-risk area (face, hand), perirectal/perineal involvement
• Immunocompromised patient with systemic illness

Minimum documentation#

• Location, size, surrounding cellulitis, and symptoms
• Consent (bleeding, pain, scar, recurrence, need for repeat drainage)
• Anesthesia used
• Technique summary: incision, drainage, breaking loculations, irrigation (if done)
• Whether packing was placed (and material)
• Culture obtained (if obtained) and why
• Antibiotics decision and rationale (if prescribed)
• Aftercare + return precautions + follow-up interval

Coding + RVU table scaffold#