What type of code should be assigned first if the reason for admission is both sepsis and a localized infection?

In cases where both sepsis and a localized infection are present, the sepsis code should be assigned first. This is because sepsis represents a systemic response to an infection, which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, and is critical for understanding the severity of the patient's condition.

In ICD-10-CM coding guidelines, when a patient is admitted with a condition that has both local and systemic components, such as sepsis along with a localized infection, the systemic condition (sepsis) takes precedence. Furthermore, the coding guidelines emphasize that sepsis codes are used to reflect the underlying pathological process and its management, making it essential to code sepsis prior to the localized infection.

This approach ensures that the most clinically significant diagnosis, which in this case is the sepsis, is highlighted in the patient's record and medical coding, facilitating better understanding for treatment and reimbursement purposes.