Sepsis due to unspecified staphylococcus

This code signifies a severe, life-threatening systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) caused by an infection with an unspecified species of Staphylococcus bacteria. It indicates that the patient is experiencing organ dysfunction as a result of the staphylococcal infection.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states sepsis due to Staphylococcus, but the specific species (e.g., aureus, epidermidis) is not identified. This is appropriate when the physician has diagnosed sepsis and attributed it to a staphylococcal organism without further speciation.

• Always sequence the underlying infection (e.g., pneumonia, cellulitis) first, if known, followed by this sepsis code.
• Do not use this code if the specific staphylococcal species is documented; instead, use the more specific code (e.g., A41.01 for MRSA sepsis).
• Ensure documentation supports organ dysfunction to qualify for a sepsis diagnosis, not just bacteremia.