Carrier or suspected carrier of methicillin suscep staph

This code identifies an individual who harbors Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) without actively experiencing an infection. These individuals are considered carriers, meaning they can potentially transmit the bacteria to others, or they are suspected of being a carrier based on clinical indicators or exposure.

Use this code for patients identified through screening (e.g., nasal swab) as positive for MSSA colonization, or when there is a strong clinical suspicion of MSSA carriage due to close contact with an infected individual or during an outbreak investigation. It is appropriate when the patient is asymptomatic for an active MSSA infection.

• Do not use this code if the patient has an active MSSA infection; instead, code the specific infection.
• This code is for MSSA only; use a different code for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers.
• Consider co-coding with exposure codes (Z20.-) if the carrier status is identified due to contact with an infected person.