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J01.00
ICD-10-CM
Acute Non-Recurrent Maxillary Sinusitis

Learn about Acute Non-Recurrent Maxillary Sinusitis diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, and healthcare best practices. Find information on Acute Maxillary Sinus Infection and Acute Sinusitis of Maxillary Sinus, covering symptoms, treatment, and ICD-10 codes. This resource helps healthcare professionals accurately document and code Acute Non-Recurrent Maxillary Sinusitis for optimal patient care and reimbursement.

Also known as

Acute Maxillary Sinus Infection
Acute Sinusitis of Maxillary Sinus

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Sudden inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection, lasting less than 4 weeks.
  • Clinical Signs : Facial painpressure, nasal congestion, yellowgreen discharge, headache, toothache, fever.
  • Common Settings : Primary care clinics, urgent care centers, telehealth consultations.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC J01.00 Coding
J01.0-J01.9

Acute maxillary sinusitis

Inflammation of the maxillary sinus, typically caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

J32.0-J32.9

Chronic maxillary sinusitis

Long-term inflammation of the maxillary sinus, often with recurring acute episodes.

J00-J99

Diseases of the respiratory system

Encompasses various respiratory conditions including infections, inflammations, and obstructions.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the maxillary sinusitis confirmed?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Acute maxillary sinus infection, single episode.
Recurrent acute maxillary sinus infection.
Chronic maxillary sinusitis.

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Document laterality (left, right, bilateral)
  • Symptom duration to distinguish acute from chronic
  • Evidence of infection (purulent discharge, facial pain/pressure)
  • Imaging confirmation (if performed, specify type and findings)
  • Exclude other diagnoses (e.g., dental pain, allergic rhinitis)

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Laterality Coding

    Missing laterality (right, left, bilateral) can lead to claim denials or inaccurate reimbursement. Proper documentation is crucial for ICD-10 coding specificity (e.g., J01.00, J01.01, J01.02).

  • Chronic vs. Acute

    Miscoding acute sinusitis as chronic (J32.x) can impact severity and treatment coding. Accurate documentation of symptom duration is essential for correct ICD-10-CM code assignment.

  • Causative Agent

    Documenting the causative agent (viral, bacterial, etc.) helps with accurate coding and treatment planning. Specifying viral vs. bacterial sinusitis ensures appropriate antibiotic stewardship and coding.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document symptom duration for accurate ICD-10 coding (J01.00).
  • Specify laterality (right, left, bilateral) for complete CDI.
  • Record symptom details and exam findings for compliance.
  • Differentiate viral vs. bacterial for appropriate antibiotic stewardship.
  • Correlate imaging results (if any) with clinical findings.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Confirm unilateral maxillary sinus involvement (ICD-10 J01.0)
  • Verify symptom duration <= 4 weeks (acute sinusitis criteria)
  • Document purulent nasal discharge or facial pain/pressure
  • Exclude dental infection as cause (toothache, swelling)
  • Consider imaging if diagnosis uncertain (X-ray, CT)

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Reimbursement impact: Accurate coding (ICD-10 J01.00, J01.01, J01.02, J01.03) for Acute Non-Recurrent Maxillary Sinusitis ensures appropriate reimbursement based on severity and treatment.
  • Quality metrics impact: Diagnosis specificity affects quality reporting metrics related to sinusitis management, antibiotic stewardship, and complication rates.
  • Coding accuracy impact: Proper documentation and coding distinctions between acute, chronic, and recurrent sinusitis are crucial for accurate hospital reporting and data analysis.
  • Hospital reporting impact: Precise coding influences resource allocation, clinical pathway development, and public health surveillance related to respiratory infections.

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Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes. Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions and Answers

Q: What are the most effective evidence-based treatment strategies for acute non-recurrent maxillary sinusitis in adult patients?

A: Acute non-recurrent maxillary sinusitis, also known as acute maxillary sinus infection, often responds well to a combination of evidence-based treatments. For most uncomplicated cases, initial management focuses on symptom relief and facilitating sinus drainage. This can include saline nasal irrigation, intranasal corticosteroids like fluticasone or mometasone to reduce inflammation, and short-term use of decongestants like pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. While antibiotics are not routinely recommended for viral or mild bacterial sinusitis, consider targeted antibiotic therapy, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate or doxycycline, for patients with moderate to severe symptoms, persistent symptoms lasting more than 10 days, or signs of bacterial infection like purulent nasal discharge. Explore how adjunctive therapies like analgesics and mucolytics can improve patient comfort during recovery. Learn more about identifying patients who might benefit from referral to an otolaryngologist for further evaluation, especially if symptoms don't resolve with initial management or in cases of recurrent sinusitis.

Q: How can clinicians differentiate between acute non-recurrent maxillary sinusitis and other conditions mimicking its symptoms, such as allergic rhinitis or a common cold, in a primary care setting?

A: Differentiating acute non-recurrent maxillary sinusitis from conditions like allergic rhinitis or the common cold requires careful assessment of the patient's history and presenting symptoms. While symptom overlap can occur, acute maxillary sinusitis typically presents with facial pain or pressure over the affected sinus, purulent nasal discharge (often yellow or green), nasal congestion, and possibly fever. Allergic rhinitis, on the other hand, is characterized by itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and clear nasal discharge, often with identifiable triggers like pollen or pet dander. The common cold generally exhibits systemic symptoms like fatigue and muscle aches, along with nasal congestion and clear or white discharge. Careful evaluation of symptom duration is also crucial. Viral upper respiratory infections usually resolve within 7-10 days, while acute bacterial sinusitis tends to persist beyond 10 days or worsen after initial improvement. Consider implementing a focused physical exam, including palpation of the sinuses and evaluating for tenderness, to aid in the diagnosis. If diagnostic uncertainty persists, consider further investigation with imaging studies like CT scans. Explore how point-of-care testing can play a role in distinguishing between viral and bacterial etiologies.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code J01.00 for Acute maxillary sinusitis
  • Document symptom onset and duration
  • Confirm laterality (unilateral/bilateral)
  • Query physician if etiology is unclear
  • Check for personal history of sinusitis

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with symptoms consistent with acute non-recurrent maxillary sinusitis.  Chief complaints include facial pain and pressure localized to the maxillary sinus area, accompanied by nasal congestion and purulent nasal discharge.  Onset of symptoms occurred approximately [number] days ago and is not associated with any prior episodes of sinusitis.  Patient denies any history of recurrent sinusitis, chronic sinusitis, or nasal polyps.  Physical examination reveals tenderness to palpation over the maxillary sinuses, along with erythematous and edematous nasal mucosa.  No signs of orbital cellulitis or other complications were observed.  Differential diagnoses considered include viral upper respiratory infection, allergic rhinitis, and dental infection.  Based on the patient's clinical presentation and examination findings, the diagnosis of acute maxillary sinusitis is determined.  Treatment plan includes [Medication name and dosage] for [duration] to address the bacterial infection.  Patient education provided on symptom management, including saline nasal irrigation and over-the-counter pain relievers.  Follow-up appointment scheduled in [number] weeks to assess response to treatment and rule out any complications.  ICD-10 code J01.00, acute maxillary sinusitis without complications, assigned.  Medical billing codes will be generated based on the provided services and procedures performed.