ICD-10-CM Code A04.72

Enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile, not specified as recurrent

  1. ICD-10-CM Index
  2. Chapter: A00–B99
  3. Section: A00-A09
  4. Block: A04
  5. A04.72 - Enterocolitis d/t Clostridium difficile, not spcf as recur
Version 2020 Billable Code

Valid for Submission

A04.72 is a billable code used to specify a medical diagnosis of enterocolitis due to clostridium difficile, not specified as recurrent. The code is valid for the year 2020 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. The ICD-10-CM code A04.72 might also be used to specify conditions or terms like clostridial enteric disease, clostridial gastroenteritis, clostridioides difficile infection, clostridium difficile colitis, clostridium difficile diarrhea, clostridium difficile toxin a detected, etc

ICD-10:A04.72
Short Description:Enterocolitis d/t Clostridium difficile, not spcf as recur
Long Description:Enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile, not specified as recurrent

Index to Diseases and Injuries

The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10 code(s). The following references for the code A04.72 are found in the index:


Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Clostridial enteric disease
  • Clostridial gastroenteritis
  • Clostridioides difficile infection
  • Clostridium difficile colitis
  • Clostridium difficile diarrhea
  • Clostridium difficile toxin A detected
  • Colitis caused by bacterium
  • Gastritis caused by bacterium
  • Intestinal infectious disease due to anaerobic bacteria
  • Intestinal infectious disease due to anaerobic bacteria
  • Toxic megacolon
  • Toxic megacolon due to Clostridium difficile

Diagnostic Related Groups

The ICD-10 code A04.72 is grouped in the following groups for version MS-DRG V37.0 What are Diagnostic Related Groups?
The Diagnostic Related Groups (DRGs) are a patient classification scheme which provides a means of relating the type of patients a hospital treats. The DRGs divides all possible principal diagnoses into mutually exclusive principal diagnosis areas referred to as Major Diagnostic Categories (MDC). applicable from 10/01/2020 through 09/30/2020.

  • 371 - MAJOR GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS AND PERITONEAL INFECTIONS WITH MCC
  • 372 - MAJOR GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS AND PERITONEAL INFECTIONS WITH CC
  • 373 - MAJOR GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS AND PERITONEAL INFECTIONS WITHOUT CC/MCC

Replacement Code

A0472 replaces the following previously assigned ICD-10 code(s):

  • A04.7 - Enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile

Convert A04.72 to ICD-9

  • 008.45 - Int inf clstrdium dfcile (Approximate Flag)

Code Classification

  • Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00–B99)
    • Intestinal infectious diseases (A00-A09)
      • Other bacterial intestinal infections (A04)

Code History

  • FY 2018 - Code Added, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020

Information for Patients


Clostridium Difficile Infections

What is Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)?

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis. C. diff causes close to half a million illnesses each year.

What causes Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)?

C. diff bacteria are commonly found in the environment, but people usually only get C. diff infections when they are taking antibiotics. That's because antibiotics not only wipe out bad germs, they also kill the good germs that protect your body against infections. The effect of antibiotics can last as long as several months. If you come in contact with C. diff germs during this time, you can get sick. You are more likely to get C. diff if you take antibiotics for more than a week.

C. diff spreads when people touch food, surfaces, or objects that are contaminated with feces (poop) from a person who has C. diff.

Who is at risk for Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)?

You are at more likely to get C. diff if you

  • Are taking antibiotics
  • Are 65 or older
  • Recently stayed in a hospital or nursing home
  • Have a weakened immune system
  • Have had a previous infection with C. diff or were exposed to it

What are the symptoms of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)?

The symptoms of C. diff include

  • Diarrhea (loose, watery stools) or frequent bowel movements for several days
  • Fever
  • Stomach tenderness or pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea

Severe diarrhea causes you to lose a lot of fluids. This can put you at risk for dehydration.

How is Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) diagnosed?

If you have been taking antibiotics recently and have symptoms of C. diff, you should see your health care provider. Your provider will ask about your symptoms and do a lab test of your stool. In some cases, you might also need an imaging test to check for complications.

What are the treatments for Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)?

Certain antibiotics can treat C. diff. If you were already taking a different antibiotic when you got C. diff, you provider may ask you to stop taking that one.

If you have a severe case, you may need to stay in the hospital. If you have very severe pain or serious complications, you may need surgery to remove the diseased part of your colon.

About 1 in 5 people who have had get C. diff will get it again. It could be that your original infection came back or that you have new infection. Contact your health care provider if your symptoms come back.

Can Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) be prevented?

There are steps you can take to try to prevent getting or spreading C. diff:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water after you use the bathroom and before you eat
  • If you have diarrhea, clean the bathroom that you used before anyone else uses it. Use bleach mixed with water or another disinfectant to clean the toilet seat, handle, and lid.

Health care providers can also help prevent C. diff by taking infection control precautions and improving how they prescribe antibiotics.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


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