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ICD-10 Coding for Pseudomonas Infection(A41.52, B96.5, J15.1)

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

Also known as:

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infectionPseudomonas sepsisPseudomonas pneumonia

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Pseudomonas Infection

A40-A41Primary Range

Sepsis

Includes sepsis due to specific organisms, including Pseudomonas.

Bacterial and viral infectious agents

Used to identify infectious agents in diseases classified elsewhere, such as Pseudomonas.

Pneumonia

Includes pneumonia due to specific bacteria, such as Pseudomonas.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
A41.52Sepsis due to PseudomonasUse when sepsis is confirmed to be due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • Blood cultures positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria
B96.5Pseudomonas as the cause of diseases classified elsewhereUse as a secondary code to identify Pseudomonas as the causative agent.
  • Culture from infection site positive for Pseudomonas
  • Linkage to primary condition documented
J15.1Pneumonia due to PseudomonasUse when pneumonia is confirmed to be due to Pseudomonas.
  • Sputum culture positive for Pseudomonas
  • Radiological evidence of pneumonia

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 Pseudomonas sepsis

Essential facts and insights about Pseudomonas Infection

The ICD-10 code for sepsis due to Pseudomonas is A41.52, used when sepsis is confirmed to be caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for pseudomonas

Sepsis due to Pseudomonas
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Confirmed Pseudomonas infection with systemic symptoms.

Applicable To

  • Sepsis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Excludes

  • Sepsis due to other specified bacteria

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Blood cultures positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misidentifying the causative organism can lead to incorrect coding.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies Pseudomonas as the causative organism.

Differential Codes

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

Sepsis, unspecified organism

A41.9
Use A41.52 when the organism is confirmed as Pseudomonas.

Unspecified bacterial pneumonia

J15.9
Use J15.1 when Pseudomonas is confirmed.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Pseudomonas Infection to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code A41.52.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Fails to meet coding specificity requirements., Financial: Potential for denied claims due to lack of specificity.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure lab results specify the organism., Use precise terminology in documentation.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect sequencing can affect DRG assignment., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Impacts the accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Always use B96.5 as a secondary code to identify the organism.

Impact

Reimbursement: Affects DRG and reimbursement rates., Compliance: Non-compliance with CMS guidelines., Data Quality: Leads to inaccurate clinical records.

Mitigation Strategy

Use A41.52 for sepsis due to Pseudomonas.

Impact

Using B96.5 as a primary code instead of secondary.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate coders on proper sequencing rules.

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 Pseudomonas Infection, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Pseudomonas Infection

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

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Specialty: Pulmonology

Required Elements

  • Diagnosis of VAP
  • Culture results
  • Antibiotic treatment plan

Example Documentation

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (J95.851) due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (B96.5) confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage culture.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Treating Pseudomonas UTI.
Good Documentation Example
Pseudomonas aeruginosa UTI confirmed by urine culture (≥10^5 CFU/mL) with nitrite positivity and pyuria.
Explanation
The good example provides specific culture results and clinical findings.

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

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