Meningitis due to unspecified bacterium

This code signifies inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, caused by a bacterial pathogen that has not been specifically identified. It indicates a bacterial etiology for meningitis where the specific bacterial species is unknown or unconfirmed.

This code is appropriate when documentation confirms a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis, but the causative organism is not specified (e.g., "bacterial meningitis, organism unknown" or "meningitis due to gram-positive cocci, not further identified"). It should be used when laboratory cultures or other diagnostic tests have not definitively identified the specific bacterium responsible for the infection.

• Avoid using this code if the specific bacterial pathogen is known; instead, code to the specific organism.
• Ensure documentation explicitly states "unspecified bacterium" or "organism unknown" for bacterial meningitis.
• Consider querying the provider if "bacterial meningitis" is documented without further organism specificity, to determine if a more precise code can be assigned.