ICD-10 Code A18.31 | Tuberculous peritonitis Symptoms, Diagnosis, Billing

Tuberculous peritonitis is a rare but serious form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that affects the peritoneum, often resulting from hematogenous spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is clinically significant due to its potential to cause severe abdominal pain, ascites, and complications such as intestinal obstruction. Accurate coding with ICD-10 Code A18.31 is essential for proper diagnosis, documentation, medical billing, and public health reporting, ensuring that healthcare providers can effectively manage and treat this condition.

What is ICD-10 Code A18.31 for Tuberculous peritonitis?

ICD-10 Code A18.31 specifically denotes Tuberculous peritonitis, which is an infection of the peritoneal cavity caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This code should be utilized in clinical documentation and billing when a patient presents with symptoms indicative of this condition, such as abdominal pain and ascites, and when there is a confirmed diagnosis of tuberculosis affecting the peritoneum.

ICD-10 Code A18.31 – Clinical Definition and Explanation of Tuberculous peritonitis

Tuberculous peritonitis is primarily caused by the dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from a primary site, often the lungs, to the peritoneal cavity. The condition can progress rapidly, leading to significant morbidity and necessitating prompt medical intervention.

Key Clinical Features:

• Abdominal pain and tenderness, often diffuse.
• Presence of ascites, which may be serous or chylous.
• Fever and night sweats, common systemic symptoms.
• Weight loss and anorexia due to chronic infection.

ICD-10 Code A18.31 for Tuberculous peritonitis – SOAP Notes & Clinical Use

In SOAP notes, ICD-10 Code A18.31 is utilized to document the diagnosis of Tuberculous peritonitis, aiding in the assessment of symptoms, clinical findings, and treatment plans. This code is relevant in both acute and chronic care settings, ensuring comprehensive patient management.

What Does ICD-10 Code A18.31 for Tuberculous peritonitis Mean in SOAP Notes?

ICD-10 Code A18.31 connects subjective patient-reported symptoms and objective clinical findings to a formal diagnosis of Tuberculous peritonitis. This code is crucial for ensuring continuity of care, supporting accurate billing, and meeting EHR documentation standards.

Treatment Options for ICD-10 Code A18.31 – Tuberculous peritonitis

Tuberculous peritonitis requires urgent medical attention, often necessitating hospitalization for effective management. Treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotic therapy and supportive care.

Antibiotic Therapy:

• First-line: Isoniazid, Rifampin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol for 6-12 months.
• Alternative: Streptomycin or Levofloxacin if resistance is suspected.
• Duration: Minimum of 6 months, adjusted based on clinical response.

Supportive Care:

• Management of ascites through paracentesis if necessary.
• Nutritional support to address weight loss and anorexia.
• Pain management with appropriate analgesics.

Infection Control:

• Standard precautions to prevent transmission in healthcare settings.
• Isolation of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Monitoring for outbreaks in community settings.

How to Document Symptoms of Tuberculous peritonitis (ICD-10 A18.31) in SOAP Notes

Subjective:

• Patient reports persistent abdominal pain worsening over the past week.
• Complaints of significant weight loss and decreased appetite.
• History of night sweats and intermittent fever.
• Patient has a known history of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Objective:

• Abdominal examination reveals tenderness and distension.
• Ascitic fluid noted on ultrasound examination.
• Vital signs: Fever at 101°F, tachycardia at 110 bpm.
• Laboratory tests show elevated white blood cell count and positive TB culture.

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SOAP Note Guidelines for Diagnosing Tuberculous peritonitis (ICD-10 Code A18.31)

Assessment:

• Diagnosis: Tuberculous peritonitis, moderate severity.
• ICD-10 Code: A18.31.
• Contributing factors: History of pulmonary tuberculosis and immunocompromised state.

Plan:

• Initiate first-line anti-tuberculous therapy as per guidelines.
• Educate patient on medication adherence and potential side effects.
• Schedule follow-up in 1 month to assess treatment response.
• Consider referral to infectious disease specialist for ongoing management.

Treatment & Plan Section for ICD-10 Code A18.31 – Tuberculous peritonitis

• First-line pharmacologic treatments include Isoniazid, Rifampin, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol.
• Non-pharmacologic strategies involve nutritional support and pain management.
• Monitoring includes regular follow-up appointments and laboratory tests to assess treatment efficacy.
• Patient education on the importance of completing the full course of therapy.

Using ICD-10 Code A18.31 for Tuberculous peritonitis in Billing & SOAP Note Compliance

• Select accurate subcodes based on clinical severity or complications.
• Document symptoms clearly under Subjective (S) and Objective (O) in SOAP notes.
• Ensure treatment plans align with clinical guidelines to support justified billing.
• Only list CPT codes that are commonly billed with ICD-10 Code A18.31 based on standard medical coding practices.

Related ICD-10 Codes Often Used with Tuberculous peritonitis

• A15.0 – Pulmonary tuberculosis, bacteriologically and histologically confirmed
• A18.32 – Tuberculous pericarditis
• A18.39 – Other forms of tuberculosis
• B90.9 – Sequelae of tuberculosis, unspecified

ICD-10 Code A18.31 in Medical Billing and Insurance for Tuberculous peritonitis

ICD-10 Code A18.31 is critical in medical billing, particularly in hospital, emergency room, or infectious disease care settings.

Billing Notes:

• Ensure thorough documentation of symptoms and treatment plans to support claims.
• Use this code in conjunction with relevant CPT codes for comprehensive billing.
• Document all relevant patient history and clinical findings to justify the diagnosis.

Common CPT Pairings: