Sepsis due to Pseudomonas

This code identifies a severe, life-threatening systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) caused by an infection with Pseudomonas bacteria. It indicates a specific bacterial etiology for the sepsis, which can lead to organ dysfunction and high mortality.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states a diagnosis of sepsis and laboratory or clinical findings confirm Pseudomonas as the causative organism. This is typically used in cases of bacteremia, pneumonia, or other infections where Pseudomonas has disseminated, leading to a systemic response.

• Always sequence the underlying infection (e.g., pneumonia, urinary tract infection) first, if known, followed by this sepsis code.
• Ensure documentation explicitly links Pseudomonas as the cause of the sepsis; avoid assumptions.
• Do not use this code for localized Pseudomonas infections without evidence of a systemic inflammatory response.