They will always be assigned in conjunction with and sequenced after the code for the systemic infection.ĭiagnosis: Sepsis with acute renal and respiratory failure = A41.9, R65.20, N17.9, J96.00 Note that the codes from subcategory R65.2 can never be assigned alone and can never be sequenced as principal. Additional codes for any associated acute organ dysfunction should also be assigned. If the underlying infection or causative organism is not further specified, assign code A41.9 Sepsis unspecified organism.Ī41.51 Sepsis due to Eschericia Coli is assigned because this is the code the index references for the systemic infection of E.Coli sepsis.Ĭoding sepsis that is further specified as severe sepsis or sepsis with acute organ dysfunction requires the assignment of a minimum of two codes, a code for the underlying systemic infection and code from subcategory R65.2 Severe sepsis.

This post focuses on 4 of those guidelines.Ĭoding sepsis that is not further specified as severe sepsis, sepsis with acute organ dysfunction or sepsis with septic shock requires the assignment of a single code for the underlying systemic infection. Coverage of this topic encompasses guidelines I.C.1.d.1.a – I.C.1.d.8. The guidelines for coding sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock are found in the chapter specific coding guidelines for chapter 1 of ICD-10 Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases. Below is an overview of some of the guidelines with examples of guideline application. There are several guidelines to consider and documentation must be reviewed carefully.

Coding a diagnosis of sepsis can be a tricky proposition.

Icd 10 code for sepsis