2025 ICD-10-CM code A41.8
Other specified sepsis. This code is used when the provider documents a specific type of sepsis that is not represented by any other code in the classification system.
Medical necessity for the treatment of other specified sepsis must be documented and justified based on the severity of the infection and the patient's clinical presentation.
Providers diagnose other specified sepsis based on the patient’s symptoms, history, and physical findings. Laboratory tests of the patient’s blood, urine, stool, skin specimen, respiratory secretions, and vomit can detect the bacterium. Treatment includes antibiotics and other supportive measures such as oxygen and intravenous fluids.Sometimes, surgery is necessary to remove the source of infection.
In simple words: Other specified sepsis is a serious infection in your bloodstream.It's a type of sepsis that doesn't have its own specific code.It causes your body to have a very strong reaction to the infection, which can damage tissues and organs, and even be life-threatening.
Other specified sepsis refers to a serious medical condition in which the body has a massive immune response to toxins released by bacteria into the bloodstream, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.The provider documents a specific type of sepsis not represented by any other category.
Example 1: A patient presents with fever, chills, rapid heart rate, and low blood pressure. Blood cultures identify an unusual bacterial strain as the cause of infection, and the patient is diagnosed with sepsis. Because the specific type of sepsis is not represented by another ICD-10 code, A41.8 is used., A post-surgical patient develops signs of infection, including localized swelling, redness, and drainage.Cultures reveal a rare bacterium, and the patient's condition progresses to sepsis.Due to the unusual nature of the infection, A41.8 is the most appropriate code., An immunocompromised patient develops a bloodstream infection following a minor cut.The infection progresses rapidly to sepsis, and cultures reveal a bacterial strain not commonly associated with sepsis.In this scenario, A41.8 accurately reflects the uncommon presentation of the patient's sepsis.
Documentation should include the type of sepsis, the causative infectious agent (if known), and evidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) due to infection.
** Excludes1: bacteremia NOS (R78.81), neonatal (P36.-), puerperal sepsis (O85), streptococcal sepsis (A40.-)Excludes2: sepsis (due to) (in) actinomycotic (A42.7), sepsis (due to) (in) anthrax (A22.7), sepsis (due to) (in) candidal (B37.7), and many more listed in source material.
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Skilled Nursing Facility