Unsp Escherichia coli as the cause of diseases classd elswhr

This code identifies an infection caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) when the specific strain or type of E. coli is not documented. It is used as an additional code to specify the bacterial agent responsible for a disease classified elsewhere in the ICD-10-CM system.

Apply this code when medical record documentation confirms an E. coli infection, but the physician has not specified the particular E. coli strain (e.g., enterohemorrhagic, uropathogenic). This code is always secondary to a primary diagnosis code for the condition caused by the E. coli, such as a urinary tract infection or sepsis.

• Always sequence this code after the code for the underlying disease caused by the E. coli.
• Avoid using this code if a more specific E. coli strain (e.g., B96.21 for enterohemorrhagic E. coli) is documented.
• Query the provider for more specificity if only "E. coli infection" is documented without further detail.