Sepsis due to Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus

This code signifies a severe, life-threatening systemic inflammatory response (sepsis) specifically caused by an infection with Staphylococcus aureus that is sensitive to methicillin. It indicates a bacterial infection that has spread throughout the body, leading to organ dysfunction.

Use this code when documentation clearly states a diagnosis of sepsis and laboratory cultures confirm Staphylococcus aureus as the causative organism, with susceptibility testing showing it is methicillin-susceptible. This applies to cases where the patient exhibits signs of systemic infection and organ dysfunction attributable to MSSA.

• Always code sepsis first, followed by the code for the underlying infection, if applicable.
• Ensure documentation specifies "methicillin-susceptible" (MSSA) to differentiate from MRSA sepsis.
• Do not use this code if the Staphylococcus aureus is identified as methicillin-resistant (MRSA); a different code would apply.