main-logo

ICD-10 Code A39.51 | Meningococcal endocarditis Symptoms, Diagnosis, Billing

Meningococcal endocarditis is a rare but serious infection of the heart valves caused by Neisseria meningitidis. This condition can lead to severe complications, including heart failure and systemic infection. Accurate coding with ICD-10 Code A39.51 is essential for proper diagnosis, documentation, medical billing, and public health reporting, ensuring that healthcare providers can effectively manage and treat this life-threatening condition.

What is ICD-10 Code A39.51 for Meningococcal endocarditis?

ICD-10 Code A39.51 specifically denotes meningococcal endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. This code should be used when documenting cases of endocarditis that are directly attributable to meningococcal infection, ensuring accurate representation of the patient's condition for clinical documentation and billing purposes.

ICD-10 Code A39.51 – Clinical Definition and Explanation of Meningococcal endocarditis

Meningococcal endocarditis is primarily caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, which can enter the bloodstream and infect the heart valves. This condition progresses rapidly and requires immediate medical attention to prevent severe complications such as septicemia and heart failure.

Key Clinical Features:

  • Fever and chills, indicating systemic infection.
  • Murmurs or abnormal heart sounds due to valve involvement.
  • Signs of embolic phenomena, such as petechiae or splinter hemorrhages.
  • Positive blood cultures for Neisseria meningitidis.

ICD-10 Code A39.51 for Meningococcal endocarditis – SOAP Notes & Clinical Use

ICD-10 Code A39.51 is utilized in SOAP notes to document the patient's symptoms, assessment findings, and treatment plans related to meningococcal endocarditis. This code is relevant in both acute and chronic care settings, ensuring comprehensive documentation of the patient's clinical status.

What Does ICD-10 Code A39.51 for Meningococcal endocarditis Mean in SOAP Notes?

In SOAP notes, ICD-10 Code A39.51 connects subjective patient-reported symptoms and objective clinical findings to a formal diagnosis of meningococcal endocarditis. This code is crucial for ensuring continuity of care, supporting accurate billing, and meeting EHR documentation standards.

Treatment Options for ICD-10 Code A39.51 – Meningococcal endocarditis

Meningococcal endocarditis is a medical emergency that often necessitates hospitalization for intensive treatment. Prompt antibiotic therapy is critical to manage the infection effectively.

Antibiotic Therapy:

  • Ceftriaxone: 2 g IV every 12 hours for 4-6 weeks.
  • Penicillin G: 18-24 million units IV daily, divided into doses for 4-6 weeks.
  • Alternative: Meropenem for patients with penicillin allergy.

Supportive Care:

  • Monitoring vital signs and hemodynamic status.
  • Fluid management to prevent dehydration.
  • Pain management and symptom relief.

Infection Control:

  • Implement standard precautions to prevent transmission.
  • Consider prophylactic antibiotics for close contacts.
  • Monitor for outbreaks in community settings.

How to Document Symptoms of Meningococcal endocarditis (ICD-10 A39.51) in SOAP Notes

Subjective:

  • Patient reports fever, chills, and fatigue.
  • History of recent upper respiratory infection.
  • Complaints of chest pain and palpitations.
  • Notable history of heart murmurs or previous endocarditis.

Objective:

  • Temperature: 102°F, elevated heart rate.
  • Heart auscultation reveals a new murmur.
  • Positive blood cultures for Neisseria meningitidis.
  • Presence of petechiae on skin examination.
card-topcard-bottom

Secure, compliant, and built for trust

HIPAA-compliant and designed with privacy in mind, your patient’s data is protected. Focus on care while we safeguard your information.

Learn more
hipaa-icon

SOAP Note Guidelines for Diagnosing Meningococcal endocarditis (ICD-10 Code A39.51)

Assessment:

  • Diagnosis: Meningococcal endocarditis, severe.
  • ICD-10 Code: A39.51.
  • Contributing factors: Recent respiratory infection, immunocompromised state.
  • Severity: High risk of complications.

Plan:

  • Initiate IV antibiotics as per guidelines.
  • Consult cardiology for potential valve surgery.
  • Educate patient on signs of worsening condition.
  • Schedule follow-up in 1 week to reassess.

Treatment & Plan Section for ICD-10 Code A39.51 – Meningococcal endocarditis

  • First-line pharmacologic treatment includes ceftriaxone or penicillin G.
  • Non-pharmacologic strategies involve patient education on infection prevention.
  • Monitoring includes regular assessment of vital signs and laboratory tests.
  • Follow-up practices should include echocardiography to evaluate valve function.

Using ICD-10 Code A39.51 for Meningococcal endocarditis 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 A39.51 based on standard medical coding practices.

ICD-10 Code A39.51 in Medical Billing and Insurance for Meningococcal endocarditis

ICD-10 Code A39.51 is critical for accurate billing in hospital, emergency room, or infectious disease care settings.

Billing Notes:

  • Ensure documentation includes detailed clinical findings and treatment plans.
  • Use this code in conjunction with relevant CPT codes for comprehensive billing.
  • Document any complications or comorbidities to support the claim.
  • Verify that all chart elements align with coding guidelines.

Common CPT Pairings:

CPT CodeDescription
99223Initial hospital care, typically 70 minutes or more.
36415Collection of venous blood by venipuncture.
93000Electrocardiogram, ECG, with interpretation and report.
93010Interpretation and report of ECG.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About Using ICD-10 Code A39.51 for Meningococcal endocarditis

What are the common symptoms of meningococcal endocarditis?

Common symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, chest pain, and new heart murmurs. Patients may also present with signs of embolic phenomena such as petechiae.

How is meningococcal endocarditis treated?

Treatment typically involves intravenous antibiotics such as ceftriaxone or penicillin G, along with supportive care and monitoring for complications.

Is meningococcal endocarditis contagious?

While Neisseria meningitidis can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, meningococcal endocarditis itself is not directly contagious. Close contacts may require prophylactic antibiotics.

When should ICD-10 Code A39.51 be used?

This code should be used when documenting cases of endocarditis specifically caused by Neisseria meningitidis, ensuring accurate representation for billing and clinical documentation.

diamond-bg
diamond-bg

Get started with your 20 free notes

Sign up for free
main-logo

AI-aided Sudsy Shorthand for ink-free practices

support@soapsuds.io
hipaa-logo

Clinical Notes

SOAP notes

DAP notes

AI medical notes

© Copyright SOAPsuds 2025. All rights reserved