2022 ICD-10-CM Code A04.72
Enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile, not specified as recurrent
Valid for Submission
| 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 |
Code Classification
A04.72 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of enterocolitis due to clostridium difficile, not specified as recurrent. The code A04.72 is valid during the fiscal year 2022 from October 01, 2021 through September 30, 2022 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.
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:
- - Colitis (acute) (catarrhal) (chronic) (noninfective) (hemorrhagic) - See Also: Enteritis; - K52.9
- - Clostridium difficile
- - not specified as recurrent - A04.72
- - pseudomembranous
- - not specified as recurrent - A04.72
- - toxic NEC - K52.1
- - due to Clostridium difficile
- - not specified as recurrent - A04.72
- - due to Clostridium difficile
- - Clostridium difficile
- - Diarrhea, diarrheal (disease) (infantile) (inflammatory) - R19.7
- - due to
- - Clostridium difficile
- - not specified as recurrent - A04.72
- - Clostridium difficile
- - due to
- - Enteritis (acute) (diarrheal) (hemorrhagic) (noninfective) - K52.9
- - Clostridium
- - difficile
- - not specified as recurrent - A04.72
- - difficile
- - infectious NOS - A09
- - due to
- - Clostridium difficile
- - not specified as recurrent - A04.72
- - Clostridium difficile
- - due to
- - toxic NEC - K52.1
- - due to Clostridium difficile
- - not specified as recurrent - A04.72
- - due to Clostridium difficile
- - Clostridium
- - Enterocolitis - See Also: Enteritis; - K52.9
- - due to Clostridium difficile
- - not specified as recurrent - A04.72
- - necrotizing - K55.30
- - due to Clostridium difficile
- - not specified as recurrent - A04.72
- - due to Clostridium difficile
- - pseudomembranous (newborn)
- - not specified as recurrent - A04.72
- - due to Clostridium difficile
Approximate 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
- Toxic megacolon
- Toxic megacolon due to Clostridium difficile
Diagnostic Related Groups - MS-DRG Mapping
The ICD-10 code A04.72 is grouped in the following groups for version MS-DRG V39.0 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 10/01/2021 through 09/30/2022.
| MS-DRG | MS-DRG Title | MCD | Relative Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 371 | MAJOR GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS AND PERITONEAL INFECTIONS WITH MCC | 06 | 1.7283 |
| 372 | MAJOR GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS AND PERITONEAL INFECTIONS WITH CC | 06 | 1.0276 |
| 373 | MAJOR GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS AND PERITONEAL INFECTIONS WITHOUT CC/MCC | 06 | 0.7435 |
The relative weight of a diagnostic related group determines the reimbursement rate based on the severity of a patient's illness and the associated cost of care during hospitalization.
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 Code
The General Equivalency Mapping (GEM) crosswalk indicates an approximate mapping between the ICD-10 code A04.72 its ICD-9 equivalent. The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 code and the ICD-9 code and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.
- 008.45 - Int inf clstrdium dfcile (Approximate Flag)
Information for Patients
C. diff Infections
What is C. diff?
C. diff is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis. You may see it called other names - Clostridioides difficile (the new name), Clostridium difficile (an older name), and C. difficile. It causes close to half a million illnesses each year.
What causes C. diff infections?
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 a C. diff infection 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 C. diff infections?
You are at more likely to get a C. diff infection 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 C. diff infections?
The symptoms of C. diff infections 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 are C. diff infections diagnosed?
If you have been taking antibiotics recently and have symptoms of a C. diff infection, 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 C. diff infections?
Certain antibiotics can treat C. diff infections. 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 a C. diff infection 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 C. diff infections 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 infections by taking infection control precautions and improving how they prescribe antibiotics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]
Code History
- FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
- FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
- FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
- FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018