If a patient has both MRSA colonization and infection during a hospital admission, which codes should be applied?

When coding for a patient who has both MRSA colonization and infection, it is essential to accurately capture both aspects of the patient's condition. The correct approach is to use the appropriate codes for colonization alongside the codes for the active infection.

In this case, the appropriate code for MRSA colonization is Z22.321, which specifically denotes the presence of MRSA colonization. Furthermore, if the patient also has an active infection caused by MRSA, that infection should be coded as well.

Thus, applying both the colonization code and the infection code reflects the full clinical picture of the patient's health status. This combination highlights that the patient not only carries the MRSA bacteria but is also actively experiencing an infection due to it. This coding practice is crucial for proper documentation, treatment management, and ensuring accurate billing.

The specific code Z22.322 reserved for MRSA infection would only be used if the infection was not considered to also denote a carrier status. However, in cases where both colonization and infection are present, referencing Z22.321 followed by the infection code appropriately illustrates both conditions within hospital records. This accurate coding helps inform ongoing treatment strategies and infection control protocols necessary for managing MRSA in a healthcare setting.