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ICD-10 Code O85: Puerperal sepsis

O85 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Puerperal sepsis in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents puerperal sepsis in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

What it does not mean

  • A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
  • A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.

Code hierarchy

chapter
15Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
block
O85-O92Complications predominantly related to the puerperium
currentO85-O92

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms
  • Postpartum sepsis
  • Puerperal peritonitis
  • Puerperal pyemia
Applicable to
  • code (B95-B97), to identify infectious agent
  • code (R65.2-) to identify severe sepsis, if applicable
Excludes1 (do not code together)
  • fever of unknown origin following delivery (O86.4)
  • obstetric pyemic and septic embolism (O88.3-)
  • puerperal septic thrombophlebitis (O86.81)
Excludes2 (may code together if documented)
  • genital tract infection following delivery (O86.1-)
  • sepsis during labor (O75.3)
  • urinary tract infection following delivery (O86.2-)
Use additional code
  • code (B95-B97), to identify infectious agent
  • code (R65.2-) to identify severe sepsis, if applicable

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

ObstetricianGynecologist

Coverage-related procedures and services

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
O85

Common synonyms

Puerperal sepsis

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeO85
SystemICD10
Display namePuerperal sepsis
ChapterPregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
BlockComplications predominantly related to the puerperium

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Abscess(connective tissue) (embolic) (fistulous) (infective) (metastatic) (multiple) (pernicious) (pyogenic) (septic)Infection, infected, infective(opportunistic)Infection, infected, infective(opportunistic)PelviperitonitisPeritonitis(adhesive) (bacterial) (fibrinous) (hemorrhagic) (idiopathic) (localized) (perforative) (primary) (with adhesions) (with effusion)Puerperal, puerperium(complicated by, complications)Puerperal, puerperium(complicated by, complications)Puerperal, puerperium(complicated by, complications)Puerperal, puerperium(complicated by, complications)Puerperal, puerperium(complicated by, complications)Puerperal, puerperium(complicated by, complications)Puerperal, puerperium(complicated by, complications)

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.

ICD-10 Code O85 for Puerperal sepsis | HealthAssure