Understand How to Code UPEC Infection With Cystitis
Question: Patient presented with complaints of frequent urination and pain while voiding their bladder. The urologist collected a urine sample, which tested positive for uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). The physician also performed a cystoscopy, which revealed inflammation and redness in the bladder. The physician diagnosed the patient with acute cystitis due to an UPEC infection. How do I code the diagnosis? Colorado Subscriber Answer: Assign N30.00 (Acute cystitis without hematuria) to report the acute cystitis diagnosis. This code indicates that the patient is experiencing inflammation of the bladder that developed quickly, but the patient is not experiencing bleeding with the condition. If the record states the patient had blood in their urine, then you’d use N30.01(Acute cystitis with hematuria) to report the cystitis. A note listed under parent code N30.- (Cystitis) instructs you to use an additional code to identify what is causing the infection. For the UPEC infection, you’ll assign B96.29 (Other Escherichia coli [E. coli] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere) as there isn’t a more specific code to represent the infection. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
