In the case of a post-procedural infection resulting in severe sepsis, which code should be assigned first?

In the scenario of a post-procedural infection resulting in severe sepsis, the appropriate coding practice involves assigning the code that identifies the specific condition that initiated the chain of events leading to the severe sepsis. The first code should specifically refer to the post-procedural infection because this is the underlying cause of the subsequent severe sepsis.

When coding such conditions, it's vital to follow the principle that the underlying condition should be coded before the manifestations of that condition. Since the process of sepsis is a consequence of the post-procedural infection, this initial code provides context and clarity about the patient's status and the reason for their severe condition.

The codes for severe sepsis and systemic infection, while important, are secondary in this context as they describe the condition's progression rather than its origin. Assigning the post-procedural infection code first correctly aligns with coding guidelines, ensuring proper identification of the primary reason for the patient's severe sepsis.