Pneumonia due to other staphylococcus

This code signifies an acute inflammatory condition of the lung parenchyma caused by a staphylococcal species other than Staphylococcus aureus. It presents with symptoms such as fever, cough, dyspnea, and often purulent sputum, with radiographic evidence of pneumonia. The infection can range from mild to severe, potentially leading to complications like empyema or sepsis.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states pneumonia due to a staphylococcus species that is not Staphylococcus aureus. This typically follows laboratory confirmation of the specific staphylococcal pathogen from cultures (e.g., sputum, blood, bronchoalveolar lavage). The physician's diagnostic statement must clearly link the pneumonia to the identified "other staphylococcus."

• Ensure the documentation specifies "other staphylococcus" and not Staphylococcus aureus; otherwise, a different code would be appropriate.
• Always sequence this code as the principal diagnosis if it is the primary reason for the encounter, followed by any associated complications.
• Verify that the medical record clearly identifies the causative organism as a staphylococcus, but not S. aureus, to support the use of this specific code.