Thank you Joe for sending this out.

As the Director for The Integrated Nurse Leadership Program (INLP) at UCSF 
where this table and methodology was created, developed and published, I can 
speak to this approach in a broad-based manner.

Should anyone like further knowledge about it origins, validated methods or 
real-world application, I’d be happy to discuss.

Julie Kliger, MPA, BSN, RN
Founder and Principal, The Altos Group, LLC
www.thealtosgroup.com<http://www.thealtosgroup.com>

Director, Integrated Nurse Leadership Program
University of California at San Francisco
510.551.3330 (c)

From: [email protected] 
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Joseph Clement
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 8:31 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Sepsis Groups] mortality


Hello All,

I've received many requests to specify our code list so in the interest of 
efficiency I'll share it directly here.

Again, patients in the denominator are those with either a sepsis code (Table 
1: 995.91, 995.92, or 785.52) or both a code for infection (Table 2)  and a 
code for an organ dysfunction (Table 2).

We then review each case for inclusion/exclusion criteria and measure bundle 
compliance. Approximately 30% of cases do not have severe sepsis.  We also add 
to this list other cases that are found in real-time (I review all 
rapid-response team calls, get referrals from nurses, hospitalists, 
pharmacists, and just snoop around).  While we do occasionally find cases that 
were not coded as above, it is relatively rare.

One of the reasons I like this method is that it is unlikely to be influenced 
by changes in coding and documentation. We are beginning a program to improve 
MD documentation (real-time feedback by documentation specialists) - and part 
of that is to encourage more accurate use of the terms severe sepsis, and 
septic shock which are generally underused, and therefore undercoded.  If we 
measured mortality only with 995.92 and 785.52, then over time we would see a 
growing number of less acutely ill patients included in our denominator, thus 
artificially lowering our mortality rate.

I'm enjoying this thread - this is a tricky issue that we've struggled with and 
I'm interested to learn the pros and cons of various methods.

-Joe

 Table 1 –
DESCRIPTION

CODE

 Surviving Sepsis ICD-9-CM Codes

Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
with Organ Dysfunction (Severe Sepsis)

995.91
995.92

Septic Shock

785.52



Table 2 –
DESCRIPTION

CODE

Infection Related ICD-9-CM Codes

Streptococcal Septicemia

038.00

Staphylococcal Septicemia

038.10-038.19

Pneumococcal Septicemia

038.20-038.29

Septicemia due to Anaerobes

038.30-038.39

Septicemia due to other Gram Negative Org.

038.40-038.49

Other Specified Septicemias

038.80-038.89

Unspecified Septicemia

038.90-038.99

Salmonella Septicemia

003.10-003.19

Septicemic Plague

020.20-020.29

Anthrax Septicemia

022.30-022.39

Meningococcemia

036.20-036.29

Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome

036.30-036.39

Herpetic Septicemia

054.50-054.59

Candidiasis Disseminated

112.50-112.59

Pneumococcal Pneumonia

481.00-482.99

Bronchopneumonia, Organism Unspecified

485.00-486.99

UTI, Site not Specified

599.00-599.09

Acute Pyelonephritis

590.10-590.19

Other Pyelonephritis or Infection of Kidney

590.80-590.99



Table 3 –
DESCRIPTION

CODE

Organ Dysfunction ICD-9-CM Codes

Respiratory

Acute Respiratory Failure518.81-518.82


Other Dyspnea/Respiratory Abnormalities786.09


Respiratory Arrest799.10

Cardiovascular

Shock without Mention of Trauma785.50-785.59


Cardiac Arrest427.50


Hypotension458.00, 458.80, 458.90


Nonspecific Low Blood Pressure Reading796.30

Coagulation

Defibrination Syndrome286.60


Other and Unspecified Coagulation Defect286.90

Renal

Acute Renal Failure584.00-584.99

Hepatic

Acute and Subacute Necrosis of Liver570.00-570.99


Hepatic Coma572.20


Hepatic Infarction573.40

Central Nervous System

Delirium293.00-293.90


Anoxic Brain Damage348.10


Encephalopathy - Unspecified348.30


Coma780.0



Joseph Clement RN, MS, CCNS
Clinical Nurse Specialist

San Francisco General Hospital
phone: (415) 206-6174
pager: (415) 327-0220
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>


Joseph Clement <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Sent by: 
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>

12/04/2012 03:20 PM

To

>

cc

Subject

Re: [Sepsis Groups] mortality








Hello,

We use a methodology used by many hospitals in the area, adapted from research 
by Viktor Dombrovskiy.  It is based on ICD-9 codes only. There are no exclusion 
criteria.  Patients in the denominator are those with either a sepsis code 
(995.91, 995.92, or 785.52) or both a code for infection (e.g. pneumonia)  and 
a code for an organ dysfunction (e.g. acute renal failure).  We have a specific 
list of codes we use if people are interested.

Joe
Joseph Clement RN, MS, CCNS
Clinical Nurse Specialist

San Francisco General Hospital
phone: (415) 206-6174
pager: (415) 327-0220
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>

"CARIANN M DAHLQUIST" <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Sent by: 
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>

11/28/2012 11:28 AM


To

<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>

cc

Subject

[Sepsis Groups] mortality








Hello fellow sepsis coordinators,
I am inquiring how everyone counts their sepsis mortality. I am curious if you 
count each patient chart or if you count by patient days? I currently only 
audit the critical care patients, however I am looking to expand to house wide. 
Any input would be appreciated-
Thanks,
CariAnn

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