Learn about Enterococcus faecalis infections, including diagnosis, treatment, and clinical documentation. Find information on E. faecalis infections, enterococcal infections, and relevant medical coding terms for accurate healthcare records. This resource offers guidance for healthcare professionals on managing and documenting Enterococcus faecalis infections in a clinical setting.
Also known as
Enterococcal sepsis
Sepsis caused by Enterococcus bacteria.
Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
Enterococcal infections affecting other body systems.
Other specified noninflammatory disorders of vagina
Includes enterococcal vaginitis (if specified).
Infection following a procedure, NEC
Post-procedural infections, including those caused by Enterococcus.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the E. faecalis infection localized?
Yes
Specify infection site.
No
Is it bacteremia or sepsis?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Infection caused by E. faecalis bacteria. |
| Infections caused by Enterococcus species. |
| Bacterial infection, unspecified. |
Confusing localized enterococcal infection with sepsis can lead to upcoding and denials. Accurate documentation of infection site and severity is crucial.
Coding enterococcal UTI requires specific documentation. Miscoding other infection sites as UTI can impact reimbursement and quality metrics.
Failing to document antibiotic resistance (e.g., VRE) affects severity and treatment coding. Proper testing and documentation are essential for accurate coding.
Q: What are the recommended first-line antibiotic treatment options for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) bloodstream infections in critically ill patients?
A: Managing vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) bloodstream infections in critically ill patients presents a significant challenge. While specific treatment should be guided by susceptibility testing and patient-specific factors, ampicillin remains a viable option for VRE isolates susceptible to it. Linezolid is another frequently employed antibiotic, particularly for cases with demonstrated resistance to ampicillin. Daptomycin also shows efficacy against VRE and might be considered. For challenging cases with multi-drug resistant strains, a combination therapy approach might be necessary. Explore how antimicrobial stewardship programs can optimize antibiotic selection and minimize the development of further resistance. Consider implementing rapid diagnostic testing to expedite appropriate antibiotic initiation in critically ill patients. Learn more about emerging treatment options for VRE infections under investigation.
Q: How do I differentiate Enterococcus faecalis endocarditis from other causes of infective endocarditis in a patient with a prosthetic heart valve?
A: Differentiating Enterococcus faecalis endocarditis from other causes of infective endocarditis, particularly in patients with prosthetic heart valves, requires a multi-faceted approach. While clinical presentation can offer clues, it often overlaps with other etiologies. Blood cultures are essential for identifying the causative organism. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) plays a crucial role in visualizing vegetations and assessing valvular function. Given E. faecalis's propensity to cause healthcare-associated infections, a thorough patient history, including recent procedures and hospitalizations, is critical. Duke's criteria are commonly employed to establish the diagnosis of infective endocarditis. Consider implementing a risk stratification strategy for patients with prosthetic heart valves to identify those at higher risk for E. faecalis endocarditis. Explore how advances in molecular diagnostics can improve the speed and accuracy of identifying E. faecalis in endocarditis cases.
Patient presents with signs and symptoms suggestive of Enterococcus faecalis infection. The patient's clinical presentation includes [specific symptoms e.g., fever, chills, urinary urgency, dysuria, abdominal pain, wound infection with purulent drainage, redness, and swelling]. Differential diagnosis includes other bacterial infections such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus species. Preliminary diagnosis of Enterococcus faecalis infection is based on [mention basis for diagnosis, e.g., positive urine culture, blood culture, wound culture]. Laboratory tests ordered include complete blood count (CBC) with differential, comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), and urinalysis (if applicable). Microbial sensitivity testing is pending to guide antibiotic therapy. Patient's medical history includes [mention relevant comorbidities e.g., diabetes, immunosuppression, recent surgery, indwelling catheter]. Current medications include [list current medications]. Patient allergies include [list allergies]. Assessment indicates [severity of infection, e.g., mild, moderate, severe] Enterococcus faecalis infection. Plan includes initiation of empiric antibiotic therapy with [mention antibiotic, e.g., ampicillin, vancomycin] pending susceptibility results. Patient education provided regarding medication administration, potential side effects, and the importance of completing the full course of antibiotics. Follow-up appointment scheduled in [duration] to reassess clinical status, review culture results, and adjust treatment plan as needed. ICD-10 code [appropriate ICD-10 code, e.g., B95.8, A41.9] is considered. Further evaluation may be necessary depending on clinical response to therapy.