CHEST Guidelines-Why-Sepsis-Survivors-Need-an-ICD-10-Code-for-

Why-Sepsis-Survivors-Need-an-ICD-10-Code-for-

Pdf Summary

The commentary emphasizes the need for an ICD-10 code specifically for "Sepsis Aftercare," addressing the post-acute challenges faced by sepsis survivors. Sepsis affects about 1.7 million people annually in the U.S., leading to a growing number of survivors who often experience new or worsened health issues after discharge. Despite the severity of these challenges, sepsis is typically marked as resolved upon hospital discharge, causing continuity of care issues in post-acute settings. Currently, existing ICD-10 codes do not cater specifically to sepsis after discharge, leading to a lack of focused care for these individuals.<br /><br />The authors propose a new sepsis aftercare code to align clinical practices with the unique needs of sepsis survivors, highlighting that sepsis-related complications can persist beyond the acute phase, regardless of whether ICU care was received. The code would facilitate early identification and management of conditions like post-sepsis syndrome or post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), characterized by cognitive, mental, and physical impairments.<br /><br />Implementing this code would help health care providers better recognize sepsis survivors and ensure the use of best practices, such as medication reconciliation, sepsis-focused education, and goal setting for care. This would improve care coordination and align with policies that encourage comprehensive care management for specific episodes like sepsis.<br /><br />Moreover, a dedicated code would advance research by improving understanding and management of sepsis survivorship. Overall, such a code is vital to acknowledging and addressing the long-term impacts of sepsis, supporting both clinical management and policy adjustments to enhance outcomes for survivors.

Keywords

ICD-10 code

Sepsis Aftercare

sepsis survivors

post-acute challenges

continuity of care

post-sepsis syndrome

PICS

care coordination

clinical management

sepsis survivorship