How many codes are required to code severe sepsis?

To accurately code severe sepsis, it is essential to capture both the underlying infection and the severe sepsis itself. Severe sepsis is a complex condition that indicates a systemic response to infection, which often involves organ dysfunction. In coding practices, particularly within systems like ICD-10, it is required to specify the infection that led to the sepsis and then to further identify the condition of severe sepsis itself.

The reason two codes are utilized—one for the underlying infection and another to denote severe sepsis—is to ensure that the healthcare provider's documentation reflects both the cause of the sepsis and the severity of the condition. This dual-coding approach ensures that the healthcare system can accurately track, treat, and manage the patient’s condition and its implications for healthcare planning and reimbursement.

In contrast, options that suggest coding for three or four conditions may misrepresent the requirement when severe sepsis is focused solely on the infection and the resultant severe sepsis, potentially leading to over-coding and unnecessary complexity. Therefore, the correct requirement is indeed for two distinct codes to provide an accurate clinical picture.