Postprocedural septic shock, initial encounter

This code signifies a severe, life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the body's overwhelming response to an infection that occurred as a direct result of a medical or surgical procedure. It indicates a critical condition where the infection has led to dangerously low blood pressure and impaired organ function following an intervention.

Apply this code when a patient develops septic shock after a surgical operation, invasive diagnostic procedure, or other medical intervention, and this is the first time the patient is being treated for this specific episode. This includes cases where the infection source is directly attributable to the procedure itself, such as a surgical site infection leading to sepsis and subsequent shock.

• Always sequence this code after the code for the underlying infection or complication that led to the septic shock.
• Ensure documentation clearly links the septic shock to a preceding medical or surgical procedure.
• Verify the "initial encounter" designation is appropriate, meaning the patient is receiving active treatment for this specific episode of septic shock.