Other Gram-negative sepsis

This code signifies a severe, life-threatening systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) caused by an infection with a Gram-negative bacterium other than Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, or Klebsiella. It indicates the presence of organ dysfunction resulting from the body's overwhelming response to the infection.

Use this code when documentation clearly identifies sepsis due to a Gram-negative organism that is not E. coli, Pseudomonas, or Klebsiella. This typically requires laboratory confirmation of the specific Gram-negative pathogen. Supporting documentation includes positive blood cultures, clinical signs of SIRS, and evidence of acute organ dysfunction.

• Always sequence a code for the underlying infection first, if known and not inherent to the sepsis code.
• Ensure the documentation specifies "sepsis" and not just "infection" or "bacteremia."
• Do not use this code if the specific Gram-negative organism is E. coli (A41.51), Pseudomonas (A41.52), or Klebsiella (A41.53).