Biologic Kerecis Grafts: Clinical Insights, ICD-10 Coding, and Smarter Documentation

Updated on: August 1, 2025

Biologic Kerecis grafts have revolutionized the field of wound healing and tissue regeneration, offering a powerful solution for patients suffering from chronic wounds, burns, and other severe soft tissue injuries. As an FDA-approved biologic wound care product, Kerecis utilizes fish skin to promote tissue regeneration and accelerate healing, making it an essential tool in modern medicine.

In this article, we will discuss:

• What Kerecis biologic grafts are and how they work

• Indications for use in wound care

• ICD-10 coding for biologic grafts and related conditions

• Best practices for clinical documentation

• How DocScrib helps streamline wound care documentation and coding

What Are Biologic Kerecis Grafts?

Biologic Kerecis grafts are derived from sterilized fish skin and used as an advanced wound care solution. These grafts are primarily designed for soft tissue regeneration, promoting wound healing by mimicking the structure and function of human skin. Kerecis grafts are specifically used in cases such as:

• Chronic diabetic foot ulcers

• Venous leg ulcers

• Burns and other traumatic injuries

• Surgical wounds

• Pressure ulcers (bed sores)

These biologic grafts work by delivering a combination of structural and biological support to damaged tissue, which can significantly improve healing times and reduce complications.

Key Features:

• Promotes tissue regeneration

• Incorporates into the wound bed, helping with healing and granulation

• Reduces infection risk compared to synthetic dressings

• Supports collagen formation and cell migration

How Biologic Kerecis Grafts Work

Kerecis grafts are made from fish skin, particularly cod skin, which is rich in collagen and elastin—key components for healing and tissue repair. When applied to a wound, the fish skin matrix provides a scaffold for cellular growth and encourages vascularization, which enhances the body’s natural healing process. It also prevents water loss, ensuring the wound stays moist and promotes faster tissue regeneration.

The key benefits of biologic grafts include:

• Reduced inflammation: Fish skin’s bioactive properties modulate inflammation, a critical component in chronic wounds.

• Increased collagen deposition: Fish skin provides an optimal environment for collagen formation, necessary for wound closure.

• Epithelialization: The graft aids the migration of skin cells over the wound bed, leading to faster healing.

Indications for Use of Biologic Kerecis Grafts

Biologic Kerecis grafts are indicated for use in:

• Chronic wounds that do not heal with conventional treatment

• Burns that involve the dermal layer

• Surgical wounds, especially those at risk of infection or poor healing

• Traumatic injuries where tissue loss is significant

• Diabetic foot ulcers and other vascular ulcers

Contraindications:

• Active infections in the wound bed

• Allergy to fish or fish-derived products

⚠️ Warning: Proper wound assessment should be conducted to determine if Kerecis grafts are appropriate for use.

ICD-10 Coding for Biologic Kerecis Grafts

Proper ICD-10 coding is essential for documenting biologic graft use in clinical practice, particularly for reimbursement purposes. Below are key ICD-10 codes related to biologic grafts and their indications.

Common ICD-10 Codes for Wound Care and Grafts:

✅ L97.9 is commonly used for chronic ulcers, while E11.621 is specific for diabetic foot ulcers requiring grafts.

Sample Clinical Documentation for Biologic Kerecis Grafts

Subjective:
“Patient with a diabetic foot ulcer presents for follow-up. The wound has shown no improvement with standard treatments over the past three weeks. The patient reports mild pain but no signs of infection.”

Objective:
Wound on the right foot, size 3 cm x 2 cm, non-healing, with clean granulation tissue. No signs of active infection. Kerecis graft applied to the wound for enhanced healing.

Assessment:

• Non-healing diabetic foot ulcer

• Indication for biologic Kerecis graft for wound closure

• ICD-10: E11.621 (Diabetic foot ulcer), L97.9 (Chronic ulcer, unspecified)

Plan:

• Kerecis graft applied today, with follow-up in one week

• Monitor for signs of infection or graft rejection

• Continue with metformin for diabetes control and topical wound care

Management and Follow-up

The management of wounds treated with Kerecis grafts includes:

1. Initial application and ensuring that the graft adheres to the wound bed.

2. Monitoring the wound for signs of infection, graft rejection, or inadequate healing.

3. Changing dressings as per protocol (typically every 3–5 days, depending on the type of wound and graft).

4. Follow-up to evaluate healing progress, with further grafting if necessary.

💡 Note: Regular imaging or wound assessments are essential to monitor the healing process and adjust treatment as necessary.

Common Documentation Pitfalls

🚫 Omitting wound size and depth when documenting graft use
🚫 Not specifying the type of graft used (e.g., Kerecis)
🚫 Using general wound codes instead of more specific codes like L97.9 or E11.621
🚫 Failing to document ongoing care plans, including follow-up imaging or graft changes

How DocScrib Enhances Biologic Graft Documentation

DocScrib helps clinicians document biologic grafts with ease and accuracy:

DocScrib Features for Wound Care:

✅ Auto-suggests ICD-10 codes like L97.9 or E11.621 based on your notes
✅ Incorporates wound size, location, and graft type into structured SOAP notes
✅ Tracks follow-up care, ensuring timely monitoring and wound dressing changes
✅ Reduces charting time, making it easier for providers to focus on patient care rather than documentation

Enhance your wound care documentation today—automate your notes with DocScrib!
👉 Book your free DocScrib demo today

ICD-10 Quick Reference: Biologic Kerecis Graft Coding

FAQs

Q1: Can Kerecis grafts be used for all types of wounds?
Kerecis grafts are particularly effective for chronic wounds, diabetic ulcers, and traumatic injuries. They are not typically used for acute wounds that can heal with simpler treatments.

Q2: How often should the graft dressing be changed?
Dressing changes are usually performed every 3–5 days, depending on the wound’s condition and the type of graft used. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for optimal results.

Q3: Can DocScrib help track wound healing progress?
Yes! DocScrib can track wound size, graft changes, and healing progress, ensuring that clinicians are always up to date with their patient’s wound care status.

Final Thoughts

Biologic Kerecis grafts are an essential tool in the management of chronic and complex wounds, promoting faster healing and reducing complications. Accurate documentation and coding ensure better care coordination, reimbursement, and follow-up.

With DocScrib, clinicians can streamline their wound care documentation, ensuring comprehensive and efficient management for patients.

👉 Book your free DocScrib demo today and improve your wound care documentation workflow.