Sepsis, Septicemia- ICD-9-CM: 995.91 ICD 10: A40 A41.0

Sepsis, is a serious medical condition characterized by a whole-body inflammatory state (called a systemic inflammatory response syndrome or SIRS). Septicemia refers to the presence of pathogenic organisms in the blood-stream, leading to sepsis.

Severe sepsis occurs when sepsis leads to organ dysfunction. Sepsis can lead to septic shock, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (formerly known as multiple organ failure), and death.


Septicemia >>Sepsis (SIRS)>>Severe sepsis(sepsis + organ dysfunction)

ICD-9-CM Coding

septicemia = 038.9 (Unspecified septicemia or organism not specified)

sepsis = 995.91 + 038.9 (if the type of infection or organism is not specified)

Severe Sepsis = 995.92 + 038.9 (if the type of infection or organism is not specified) + Code for acute organ dysfunction such as acute renal failure, acute respiratory failure (518.81), critical illness myopathy (359.81), encephalopathy (348.31), septic shock (785.52), etc.

Note 1: No Ecodes are required while codes 995.92 and 995.91 are coded.
Note 2: Codes from subcategory 995.9 should never be assigned as a principal diagnosis.

1 comment:

Atlanta Plastic Surgeons said...

It is an infection of the brain.The brain is the most important of all as it controls the central nervous system and strengthens the health by giving instructions to the whole body.

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