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ICD-10 Coding for Enterobacter cloacae Infection(A41.5, J15.29, N39.0)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Enterobacter cloacae Infection. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

E. cloacaeEnterobacter cloacae complex

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Enterobacter cloacae Infection

A40-A41Primary Range

Sepsis due to other specified bacteria

Primary range for coding sepsis caused by Enterobacter cloacae.

Bacterial pneumonia, not elsewhere classified

Relevant for coding pneumonia due to Enterobacter cloacae.

Other diseases of urinary system

Relevant for coding urinary tract infections caused by Enterobacter cloacae.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
A41.5Sepsis due to other Gram-negative organismsUse when sepsis is confirmed to be caused by Enterobacter cloacae.
  • Positive blood cultures for Enterobacter cloacae
  • Clinical signs of sepsis (e.g., fever, tachycardia)
J15.29Pneumonia due to other Gram-negative bacteriaUse when pneumonia is confirmed to be caused by Enterobacter cloacae.
  • Sputum culture positive for Enterobacter cloacae
  • Radiological evidence of pneumonia
N39.0Urinary tract infection, site not specifiedUse when a UTI is confirmed to be caused by Enterobacter cloacae.
  • Urine culture positive for Enterobacter cloacae
  • Symptoms of urinary tract infection

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for Enterobacter cloacae sepsis

Essential facts and insights about Enterobacter cloacae Infection

The ICD-10 code for sepsis due to Enterobacter cloacae is A41.5, with B96.29 used to specify the organism.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for enterobacter cloacae

Sepsis due to other Gram-negative organisms
Non-billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria.

documentation Criteria

  • Physician documentation of sepsis due to Enterobacter cloacae.

Applicable To

  • Sepsis due to Enterobacter cloacae

Excludes

  • Sepsis due to E. coli (A41.51)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Positive blood cultures for Enterobacter cloacae
  • Clinical signs of sepsis (e.g., fever, tachycardia)

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misidentifying the organism leading to incorrect coding.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure sepsis is documented by the physician, not inferred by the coder.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Other specified bacterial agents as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

B96.29
Use to specify Enterobacter cloacae as the causative organism.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Sepsis due to E. coli

A41.51
Use A41.51 if E. coli is the confirmed organism.

Pneumonia due to E. coli

J15.5
Use J15.5 if E. coli is the confirmed organism.

UTI due to E. coli

N39.0
Use N39.0 if E. coli is the confirmed organism.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Enterobacter cloacae Infection to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code A41.5.

Impact

Clinical: Leads to inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure species is documented in clinical notes., Use lab results to confirm species.

Impact

Clinical: Inaccurate diagnosis and treatment., Regulatory: Fails to meet documentation standards., Financial: May result in claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Include method of detection in clinical notes., Ensure lab results are attached to patient records.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10-CM standards., Data Quality: Inaccurate data reporting and analysis.

Mitigation Strategy

Use standard ICD-10-CM codes such as A41.5 for sepsis.

Impact

Reimbursement: May affect DRG assignment and reimbursement., Compliance: Failure to comply with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Always use B96.29 to specify Enterobacter cloacae as the causative organism.

Impact

Coding sepsis based on symptoms without explicit documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure physician documents sepsis explicitly in the medical record.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Enterobacter cloacae Infection, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Enterobacter cloacae Infection

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Enterobacter cloacae Infection. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Specialty: Pulmonology

Required Elements

  • Organism name
  • Site of infection
  • Method of identification
  • Susceptibility testing

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Hospital-acquired pneumonia; started meropenem.
Good Documentation Example
Ventilator-associated pneumonia with purulent sputum. Quantitative BAL culture confirms Enterobacter cloacae complex at 10^6 CFU/mL. Resistance to ceftriaxone (MIC >4 μg/mL) consistent with AmpC overproduction.
Explanation
The good example specifies the organism, method of identification, and resistance pattern, providing complete clinical information.

Catheter-Associated UTI

Specialty: Urology

Required Elements

  • Organism name
  • Site of infection
  • Method of identification
  • Susceptibility testing

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
UTI; started ciprofloxacin.
Good Documentation Example
Fever (102°F), suprapubic tenderness. Urine culture >100,000 CFU/mL Enterobacter cloacae with ESBL production. Catheter removed; transitioned to ertapenem.
Explanation
The good example includes specific organism identification and treatment details, improving clinical clarity.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Enterobacter cloacae Infection? Ask your questions below.

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