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ICD-10 Coding for Sepsis Secondary to Urinary Tract Infection(A41.51, N39.0, T83.511A)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Sepsis Secondary to Urinary Tract Infection. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Sepsis due to UTIUTI-induced Sepsisurosepsis

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Sepsis Secondary to Urinary Tract Infection

A41-A41.9Primary Range

Sepsis codes

Primary range for coding sepsis, including organism-specific codes.

Urinary tract infection codes

Codes for urinary tract infections, used when UTI is present.

Complications of genitourinary devices, implants, and grafts

Used for catheter-associated urinary tract infections leading to sepsis.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
A41.51Sepsis due to Escherichia coliUse when sepsis is confirmed due to E. coli infection.
  • Blood culture positive for E. coli
  • Symptoms of systemic infection
N39.0Urinary tract infection, site not specifiedUse when UTI is present but not the primary cause of sepsis.
  • Urine culture with >10^5 CFU/mL
T83.511AInfection and inflammatory reaction due to indwelling urethral catheter, initial encounterUse when CAUTI is the cause of sepsis.
  • Presence of indwelling catheter
  • Infection documented

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 sepsis due to UTI

Essential facts and insights about Sepsis Secondary to Urinary Tract Infection

Sepsis due to UTI is coded as A41.51 for E. coli, with N39.0 for the UTI.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for sepsis urinary tract infection

Sepsis due to Escherichia coli
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Confirmed E. coli in blood culture

Applicable To

  • Sepsis due to E. coli

Excludes

  • Urosepsis

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Blood culture positive for E. coli
  • Symptoms of systemic infection

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding as urosepsis

Coding Notes

  • Ensure organism is specified in documentation.

Ancillary Codes

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

Severe sepsis without septic shock

R65.20
Use when severe sepsis is documented without shock.

Differential Codes

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

Sepsis, unspecified organism

A41.9
Use A41.9 only if the organism is not specified.

Acute pyelonephritis

N10
Use N10 if pyelonephritis is documented.

Sepsis following a procedure

T81.44
Use T81.44 for post-procedural sepsis.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Sepsis Secondary to Urinary Tract Infection to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code A41.51.

Impact

Clinical: Inaccurate severity assessment, Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards, Financial: Reduced reimbursement

Mitigation Strategy

Use structured templates, Include organ dysfunction in notes

Impact

Reimbursement: Potential denial of claims, Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 guidelines, Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data

Mitigation Strategy

Query for specific organism and code as sepsis due to UTI.

Impact

Sepsis codes with LOS ≤3 days may trigger audits.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure comprehensive documentation of sepsis severity and treatment.

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 Sepsis Secondary to Urinary Tract Infection, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Sepsis Secondary to Urinary Tract Infection

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

Sepsis due to UTI in emergency department

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Required Elements

  • Organism identification
  • Sepsis severity
  • Organ dysfunction

Example Documentation

Patient presents with fever and dysuria. Blood culture positive for E. coli. Diagnosed with sepsis due to E. coli UTI.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has urosepsis.
Good Documentation Example
Patient has sepsis due to E. coli UTI with acute kidney injury.
Explanation
The good example specifies the organism and links organ dysfunction.

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