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ICD-10 Coding for Right Knee Infection(M01.X61, T84.53XA)

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

Also known as:

Infected Right Knee JointRight Knee Septic ArthritisRight Knee Prosthetic Joint Infection

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Right Knee Infection

M01.X6-M01.X69Primary Range

Direct infections of the right knee joint

Covers infections of the right knee joint due to systemic conditions.

Infection and inflammatory reaction due to internal joint prosthesis

Used for infections related to knee prosthetic devices.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
M01.X61Direct infection of right knee in infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewhereUse when the right knee infection is secondary to a systemic infection.
  • Positive synovial fluid culture
  • Elevated inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR)
T84.53XAInfection and inflammatory reaction due to internal right knee prosthesis, initial encounterUse for infections involving a knee prosthesis.
  • Radiographic evidence of prosthetic loosening
  • Positive culture from prosthetic joint

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 right knee infection

Essential facts and insights about Right Knee Infection

The ICD-10 code for a direct infection of the right knee is M01.X61, while T84.53XA is used for infections related to a knee prosthesis.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for right knee infection

Direct infection of right knee in infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewhere
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of systemic infection with knee involvement

Applicable To

  • Infection of right knee joint due to systemic infection

Excludes

  • Infection due to prosthetic device (T84.53XA)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Positive synovial fluid culture
  • Elevated inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR)

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification if prosthetic involvement is not identified.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the systemic infection causing the knee infection.

Ancillary Codes

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

Staphylococcus aureus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

B95.6
Use to specify the organism causing the infection.

Presence of right artificial knee joint

Z96.651
Indicates the presence of a prosthetic knee joint.

Differential Codes

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

Pyogenic arthritis, right knee

M00.861
Use for primary bacterial arthritis not secondary to systemic disease.

Direct infection of right knee in infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewhere

M01.X61
Use when infection is due to systemic disease, not prosthetic.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Right Knee Infection to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M01.X61.

Impact

Clinical: Ambiguity in treatment planning., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Always specify 'right' or 'left' in documentation., Use templates that prompt for laterality.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect DRG assignment leading to reduced reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data affecting patient records.

Mitigation Strategy

Use T84.53XA for infections involving prosthetic joints.

Impact

High audit risk if prosthetic involvement is not documented.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure all prosthetic details and infection evidence are documented.

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

Documentation Templates for Right Knee Infection

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

Prosthetic Joint Infection

Specialty: Orthopedics

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Physical examination findings
  • Laboratory results
  • Imaging studies

Example Documentation

Patient presents with erythema and swelling over the right knee prosthesis. Synovial fluid analysis shows elevated WBC and positive culture for MSSA.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Right knee pain and swelling.
Good Documentation Example
Acute infection of right knee prosthesis with positive synovial fluid culture for MSSA.
Explanation
The good example provides specific infection details and culture results.

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

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