O85 Puerperal sepsis

The ICD-10-CM code for Puerperal sepsis is O85 (FY2026). It is a billable, claim-ready diagnosis code.

Classification

Chapter

15: Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)

Section

O85-O92: Complications predominantly related to the puerperium (O85-O92)

Category O85

1 code (1 billable)

FY2026 Status

Stable since FY2024

Also Known As

ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index entries that lead to O85:

• Puerperal, puerperium (complicated by, complications) › pelviperitonitis
• Peritonitis (adhesive) (bacterial) (fibrinous) (hemorrhagic) (idiopathic) (localized) (perforative) (primary) (with adhesions) (with effusion) › puerperal, postpartum, childbirth
• Puerperal, puerperium (complicated by, complications) › peritonitis (pelvic)
• Puerperal, puerperium (complicated by, complications) › peritoneal infection
• Puerperal, puerperium (complicated by, complications) › pyemia
• Puerperal, puerperium (complicated by, complications) › metroperitonitis
• Puerperal, puerperium (complicated by, complications) › parametritis
• Pelviperitonitis › puerperal

Inclusion Terms

• Postpartum sepsis
• Puerperal peritonitis
• Puerperal pyemia

U.S. Hospital Utilization

• An estimated 3,830 U.S. inpatient stays in 2023 included O85 among the documented diagnoses.
• 2,250 stays listed it as the principal diagnosis.

Source: National Inpatient Sample (NIS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2016–2023. National survey-weighted estimates.

Official Coding Guidelines

Do not assign O85 for sepsis following obstetrical procedure

Code O85 should not be assigned for sepsis following an obstetrical procedure (See Section I.C.1.d.5.b., Sepsis due to a postprocedural infection).

Puerperal sepsis: use O85 + organism; don't use A40/A41; add R65.2- etc if applicable

k. Puerperal sepsis Code O85, Puerperal sepsis, should be assigned with a secondary code to identify the causal organism (e.g., for a bacterial infection, assign a code from category B95-B96, Bacterial infections in conditions classified elsewhere). A code from category A40, Streptococcal sepsis, or A41, Other sepsis, should not be used for puerperal sepsis. If applicable, use additional codes to identify severe sepsis (R65.2-) and any associated acute organ dysfunction.

Source: CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026

References

• CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Code Set and Guidelines, FY2026
• CDC/NCHS — ICD-10-CM Files and Browser Tool
• AHRQ — HCUP National Inpatient Sample, Frequencies by Diagnosis Code (2016–2023)