2025 ICD-10-CM code A49.0
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Certain infectious and parasitic diseases - Other bacterial diseases (A30-A49) 1 Feed
Staphylococcal infection affecting an unspecified site.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of clinical signs and symptoms of a staphylococcal infection confirmed by laboratory tests.The severity of the infection and the chosen treatment must be justified by the clinical picture.
Clinicians should determine the specific site and severity of the staphylococcal infection. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, patient history, and laboratory tests like cultures and drug sensitivity testing to guide treatment and rule out resistant strains like MRSA. Treatment includes antibiotics, wound care, and supportive measures like IV fluids or oxygen.Screening for staph bacteria prior to surgery may be done to prevent spread.
In simple words: This code indicates a staph infection somewhere in the body, but the exact location isn't known. Staph infections are caused by bacteria that can live harmlessly on the skin but can cause illness if they get into the body, often through a cut or sore.They can range from mild skin problems to serious infections in the blood or organs.
This code describes a staphylococcal infection where the affected area of the body isn't specified.It encompasses infections caused directly by the Staphylococcus bacteria or by toxins they release. This can range from minor skin infections like boils and impetigo to severe systemic infections like sepsis, pneumonia, or bone infections.The infection can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, bloodstream, bones, joints, lungs, and heart.Symptoms can vary based on location but may include redness, swelling, pain, pus-filled sores, fever, and more.
Example 1: A patient presents with fever, chills, and rapid heart rate. Blood cultures reveal the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, but there is no obvious localized infection. A49.0 would be appropriate until a specific site is identified., An individual with a history of intravenous drug use develops a fever and general malaise.Blood cultures grow Staphylococcus aureus.In the absence of a clearly defined localized infection, A49.0 is used., A patient post-surgery develops symptoms suggestive of a systemic infection, including fever and low blood pressure. Cultures identify Staphylococcus aureus, but the primary source of infection is not immediately apparent. A49.0 is used until further investigation reveals the specific site of infection.
Documentation should include signs and symptoms, patient history (including risk factors like recent hospitalization, invasive procedures, or chronic conditions), physical exam findings, and laboratory results confirming the presence of Staphylococcus and identifying the specific species if possible.If a specific site of infection is later identified, that code should be used instead of A49.0.
** For infections resistant to methicillin, code Z16.- should also be used.A49.0 excludes infections specific to the perinatal period or complicating pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium.
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, General Practice, and any specialty encountering staph infections
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, On Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Off Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Physician's Office, Nursing Facility, Skilled Nursing Facility