Find comprehensive information on Multifocal Pneumonia, including clinical documentation tips, ICD-10 codes J18.1 (pneumonia, organism unspecified) and other relevant codes, diagnostic criteria, and best practices for healthcare professionals. Learn about symptoms, treatment options, and the role of radiology and laboratory findings in diagnosing and managing multifocal pneumonia. This resource provides valuable insights for physicians, nurses, medical coders, and other healthcare providers seeking accurate and up-to-date information on this complex respiratory condition.
Also known as
Bronchopneumonia, unspecified organism
Inflammation of the lungs' bronchioles and alveoli, cause unknown.
Lobar pneumonia, unspecified organism
Lung inflammation affecting one or more lobes, cause unknown.
Double pneumonia, unspecified organism
Pneumonia affecting both lungs, cause unknown.
Other pneumonia, unspecified organism
Pneumonia not otherwise specified, cause unknown.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is pneumonia confirmed by imaging or clinical findings?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Multifocal pneumonia |
| Lobar pneumonia |
| Bronchopneumonia |
Coding pneumonia without specifying laterality (right, left, bilateral) can lead to claim rejections and inaccurate severity reflection.
Failing to document the causative organism when known impacts reimbursement and quality reporting for pneumonia cases.
Incorrectly coding sepsis with multifocal pneumonia can result in overcoding or undercoding, impacting DRG assignment and reimbursement.
Patient presents with symptoms consistent with multifocal pneumonia, including productive cough, fever, chills, dyspnea, and pleuritic chest pain. Physical examination reveals crackles and diminished breath sounds in multiple lung lobes. Chest X-ray demonstrates multifocal infiltrates or opacities, confirming the diagnosis of multifocal pneumonia. Differential diagnosis included bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and atypical pneumonia. Laboratory findings indicate leukocytosis and elevated inflammatory markers. The patient's oxygen saturation is monitored, and supplemental oxygen is administered as needed. Treatment plan includes antibiotic therapy appropriate for community-acquired pneumonia, covering typical and atypical bacterial pathogens. Patient education provided on respiratory hygiene, medication compliance, and follow-up care. Diagnosis codes for multifocal pneumonia include J18.0 based on ICD-10-CM guidelines. Medical billing codes will reflect the level of evaluation and management services provided, including diagnostic testing and treatment procedures. The patient's prognosis is favorable with appropriate treatment and monitoring for potential complications such as pleural effusion, empyema, or sepsis. Follow-up chest X-ray will be scheduled to assess treatment response and resolution of infiltrates. Patient advised to return if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop.