Chapter-specific guidelines state, “First code for the underlying systemic infection, followed by R65. 21, septic shock. If the causal organism is not documented, assign code A41. 9, sepsis, unspecified organism, for the infection.
A41.9ICD-10-CM Code for Sepsis, unspecified organism A41. 9.
Septic shock – Code first the underlying systemic infection, such as 038.0 (Streptococcal septicemia), then code 995.92 for severe sepsis, then code 785.52 for septic shock and finally assign the code for the specific type of organ failure inherent to septic shock, such as 584.9 for acute renal failure.
The coding of severe sepsis requires a minimum of two codes: first a code for the underlying systemic infection, followed by a code from subcategory R65. 2, Severe sepsis. If the causal organism is not documented, assign code A41.Jul 19, 2017
21 (Severe sepsis with septic shock), J96. 00 (Acute respiratory failure, unspecified whether with hypoxia or hypercapnia) and N39. 0 (Urinary tract infection, site not specified).Nov 13, 2019
The ED coder would assign the following ICD-10 diagnosis codes:R65.21Severe sepsis with shockN39.0UTI, site not specifiedR30.0DysuriaR50.81Fever presenting with conditions classified elsewhereN17.9Acute kidney failure, unspecified2 more rows
If severe sepsis is clearly present on admission and meets the definition of principal diagnosis, the systemic infection code (038.
According to the guidelines above, sepsis would be the appropriate principal diagnosis if it is the reason the patient is admitted, and meets the definition of principal diagnosis.Dec 5, 2016
Other instances when sepsis would not be selected as the principal diagnosis, even if it was POA include the scenario where sepsis is the result of a condition which is classified as a “medical complication” (such as being due to an indwelling urinary catheter or central line.Aug 16, 2018
Sepsis is the body's overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. In other words, it's your body's overactive and toxic response to an infection. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Documentation issues: Often, a patient with a localized infection may exhibit tachycardia, leukocytosis, tachypnea, and fever, but not truly have SIRS or sepsis. These are typical symptoms of any infection.
SIRS is manifested by two or more of the following symptoms: fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, leukocytosis, or leukopenia. Documentation issues: When SIRS is documented on the chart, determine if it’s due to an infectious or non-infectious cause. SIRS due to a localized infection can no longer be coded as sepsis in.
Codes from category P36 include the organism; an additional code for the infectious organism is not assigned. If the P36 code does not describe the specific organism, an additional code for the organism can be assigned. Urosepsis. The term “urosepsis” is not coded in ICD-10-CM.
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection damages its own tissues. Without timely treatment, sepsis can progress rapidly and lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and then death. Proper coding of sepsis and SIRS requires the coder to understand the stages of sepsis and common documentation issues.
Sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and septicemia have historically been difficult to code. Changing terminology, evolving definitions, and guideline updates over the past 20 years have created confusion with coding sepsis.
SIRS is an inflammatory state affecting the whole body. It is an exaggerated defense response of the body to a noxious stressor, such as infection or trauma, that triggers an acute inflammatory reaction, which may progress and result in the formation of blood clots, impaired fibrinolysis, and organ failure.
Sepsis is an extreme response to infection that develops when the chemicals the immune system releases into the bloodstream to fight infection cause widespread inflammation. This inflammation can lead to blood clots and leaky blood vessels, and without timely treatment, may result in organ dysfunction and then death. Severe cases of sepsis often result from a body-wide infection that spreads through the bloodstream, but sepsis can also be triggered by an infection in the lungs, stomach, kidneys, or bladder. Thus, it is not necessary for blood cultures to be positive to code sepsis (guideline I.C.1.d.1.a.i).
Septic shock refers to circulatory failure associated with severe sepsis. It is a life-threatening condition that happens when the exaggerated response to infection leads to dangerously low blood pressure (hypotension). Septic shock is a form of organ failure.
A systemic infection can occur as a complication of a procedure or due to a device, implant, or graft. This includes systemic infections due to postoperative wound infections, infusions, transfusions, therapeutic injections, implanted devices, and transplants.
Documentation issues: A patient with a localized infection usually presents with tachycardia, leukocytosis, tachypnea, and/or fever. These are typical symptoms of any infection. It is up to the clinical judgment of the physician to decide whether the patient has sepsis.