ICD-10 Coding for Right Knee Septic Arthritis(M00.261, M00.861)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Right Knee Septic Arthritis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Right Knee Septic Arthritis
M00.2-M00.9Primary Range
Arthritis due to infectious organisms
This range includes codes for arthritis caused by various infectious organisms, specifically affecting the knee.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| M00.261 | Staphylococcal arthritis, right knee | Use when Staphylococcus aureus is confirmed as the causative organism in the right knee. |
|
| M00.861 | Arthritis due to other bacteria, right knee | Use when a bacterial organism other than Staphylococcus is confirmed. |
|
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 septic arthritis
Essential facts and insights about Right Knee Septic Arthritis
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for right knee septic arthritis
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Presence of Staphylococcus aureus in synovial fluid culture
Applicable To
- Staphylococcal infection of the right knee joint
Excludes
- Arthritis due to other bacteria (M00.861)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Positive culture for Staphylococcus aureus
- Synovial fluid WBC >50,000 cells/mm³
Code-Specific Risks
- Incorrectly using this code without organism confirmation.
Coding Notes
- Ensure organism is documented before using this code.
M00.861 - Arthritis due to other bacteria, right knee
Use when a bacterial organism other than Staphylococcus is confirmed.
Applicable To
- Bacterial infection of the right knee joint
Excludes
- Staphylococcal arthritis (M00.261)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Positive culture for non-Staphylococcal bacteria
- Synovial fluid WBC >50,000 cells/mm³
Coding Notes
Document the specific organism to avoid unspecified coding.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Right Knee Septic Arthritis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code M00.261.
Impact
Clinical: May lead to incorrect treatment of the wrong joint., Regulatory: Increases risk of audit and non-compliance., Financial: Potential for denied claims due to lack of specificity.
Mitigation Strategy
Always specify which knee is affected in the documentation., Use laterality codes where applicable.
Impact
Reimbursement: May result in lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: Increases risk of audit due to lack of specificity., Data Quality: Leads to inaccurate clinical data and statistics.
Mitigation Strategy
Always document and code the specific organism involved.
Impact
Failure to document the causative organism can lead to audits.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure all culture results are included in the patient's 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 Right Knee Septic Arthritis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Right Knee Septic Arthritis
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Right Knee Septic Arthritis. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Emergency Department Presentation
Specialty: Emergency MedicineRequired Elements
- Chief complaint
- History of present illness
- Physical examination findings
- Laboratory results
- Imaging studies
- Treatment plan
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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