Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In coding for a discharged patient with a urinary tract infection (UTI), it is essential to provide a code that accurately reflects the cause of the infection to ensure appropriate documentation and billing. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the most common pathogens responsible for urinary tract infections. Including a specific code for the organism helps clarify the diagnosis and provides more detailed information about the patient's condition.

This level of specificity is highly valued in medical coding as it facilitates a better understanding of the patient's health issues, contributes to effective treatment protocols, and may assist in tracking the prevalence of specific pathogens in the community. Other codes, such as those for symptoms like fever or urinary burning, may be relevant but do not pinpoint the underlying causative organism of the infection, which is crucial for accurate coding and potential epidemiological studies. Therefore, referencing E. coli not only enhances the clarity of the medical record but also aligns with coding guidelines that emphasize specificity in describing diagnoses.