Bacterial Meningitis Documentation Guide
Acute bacterial infection of the meninges causing inflammation of the brain and spinal cord coverings.
ICD-10 Codes: G00.0, G00.1, G00.2, G00.3, G00.8, G00.9, G01
Common Symptoms
- Severe headache
- Neck stiffness
- High fever
- Photophobia
- Altered mental status
Key Documentation Elements
- CSF analysis (cell count, protein, glucose, Gram stain, culture)
- Empiric antibiotic regimen and time of administration
- Neurological examination and GCS
- Dexamethasone use and timing
- Organism identification and antibiotic susceptibilities
Documentation Challenges
- Documenting lumbar puncture results and CSF analysis
- Recording empiric antibiotic timing relative to presentation
- Capturing neurological status assessment and Glasgow Coma Scale
- Tracking dexamethasone administration timing and indication
Billing Considerations
- Organism-specific coding (G00.0 H. flu, G00.1 pneumococcal, G00.3 staphylococcal)
- LP procedure coding separate from E&M
- Critical care and ICU documentation for severe cases
Frequently Asked Questions
How is bacterial meningitis coded by organism?
G00.0 (Haemophilus), G00.1 (Pneumococcal), G00.2 (Streptococcal), G00.3 (Staphylococcal), G00.8 (other), G00.9 (unspecified), G01 (in diseases classified elsewhere). Scribeable codes based on CSF culture results.
How does Scribeable support meningitis documentation?
Scribeable captures CSF results, antibiotic timing, neurological assessments, and organism identification from your encounter, creating time-critical infectious disease documentation.