Sepsis-how to code Pdx

cari.merlina@uchealth.orgcari.merlina@uchealth.org
in CDI Talk Archive
Hi friends, I'm a new CDI learning coding principles on my own. Our coders consistently want to code the underlying infection as principal dx and use the sepsis as an mcc. For example, Hepatic Abcess with sepsis as mcc. This seems counterintuitive to me. Does anyone have a Coding Clinic reference I can use at our next CDI/coder meeting? Thank you.

Comments

  • katysuegood@gmail.comkatysuegood@gmail.com
    edited March 2016
    HAHAHAHA! Dr. Gold, you are killing me :)

    I was thinking the same thing but I was trying to formulate a response....

    Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
    Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
    AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
    Flagstaff Medical Center
    Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
    Cell: 928.814.9404


  • cari.merlina@uchealth.orgcari.merlina@uchealth.org
    By the "systemic infection", do you mean "e.coli bacteremia", etc?
  • ssalinasssalinas
    edited March 2016
    Sepsis would be principal if it was present on admission. If the sepsis developed after admission, then the abscess would be.

    Sharon Salinas, CCS
    Health Information Management
    Barlow Respiratory Hospital
    2000 Stadium Way, Los Angeles CA 90026
    Tel: 213-250-4200 ext 3336
    FAX: 213-202-6490
    ssalinas@barlow2000.org

  • gwojogwojo
    edited March 2016
    Infections are hierarchical, systemic before local if both POA. If Sepsis develops post admission it can not be pdx.

  • cari.merlina@uchealth.orgcari.merlina@uchealth.org
    You all ROCK!
  • jmontyjmonty
    edited March 2016
    I was thinking the same thing too.. !!!


  • fishdl@shands.ufl.edufishdl@shands.ufl.edu
    edited March 2016
    One more thing – if the local infection is the result of a procedure (e.g. liver abscess documented as due to biopsy), the principal diagnosis will be a code for Infection following a procedure, followed by codes for sepsis and abscess.

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