Puerperal sepsis

Puerperal sepsis refers to a severe, life-threatening infection of the genital tract or bloodstream that occurs after childbirth, miscarriage, or abortion. It is characterized by systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) due due to infection, typically originating from the reproductive organs. This condition can lead to organ dysfunction and is a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality.

This code is used when documentation clearly indicates a systemic infection (sepsis) developing in the postpartum period. Clinical scenarios include a patient presenting with fever, chills, tachycardia, and hypotension following delivery, with a confirmed or suspected infectious source in the puerperium. Supporting documentation should specify sepsis and its onset after childbirth.

• Differentiate from localized postpartum infections (e.g., endometritis) unless sepsis is explicitly documented.
• Review "Excludes1" and "Excludes2" notes carefully to avoid incorrect coding, especially with other postpartum infections or sepsis during labor.
• Always code the underlying bacterial infection (B95-B96) as an additional diagnosis, if known.