Wound Infection ICD-10-CM Codes

Wound Infection ICD-10-CM Codes

Learn about the wound infection ICD-10-CM codes you can use through this guide.

By Chloe Smith on Aug 8, 2025.

Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.

Use Code

What ICD-10 codes are used for wound infection? 

An ICD-10 code one can use for wound infection is L08.9 - Local infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified. However, there are certain things to take into consideration before using this code:

  • You can only use this code when the clinical information is unavailable or unknown. 
  • You must use this code, even if many say to use a specific code when it accurately reflects the patient's condition. 
  • Multiple layperson's terms can be synonymous with a wound infection. Double-check the diagnosis before using any type of code. 

T79.8XXA - Other early complications of trauma, initial encounter is another code you can use. If the wound is caused by trauma and the complication is a wound infection, you can use this. Use T79.8XXD for subsequent encounters, and T79.8XXS for sequela cases.

T81.40XA - Infection following a procedure, unspecified, initial encounter can be used if the infection occurs after conducting a procedure. What is unspecified is the procedure. Use T81.40XD for subsequent encounters, T81.40XS for sequela cases. For additional codes based on procedures, please refer to the ICD code range T81.4 to T81.49.

Is the wound infection ICD code billable?

All of the aforementioned wound infection ICD-10-CM codes are valid and billable. Do note that if you check the ICD code range T81.4 to T81.49, there are codes that are not valid and billable.

Clinical information

  • Surgical tissue trauma, minor cuts, bites, or skin punctures can be infected. 
  • Common pathogens can cause infections, but the most common ones are bacterial and fungal microorganisms like Staphylococcus (staph), Streptococcus (strep), MRSA, Clostridium, Aspergillus, Candida, and Clasdosporidium.
  • Signs and symptoms of a wound infection are swelling, pain, redness, and warmth to the touch. In some cases, loss of the organ's function where the wound is located can also be considered a symptom. 
  • Those who are most likely to get wound infections have poor hygiene, are malnourished, have a weakened immune system, have a lack of mobility, have poor blood circulation, are obese, and have diabetes. 
  • The referring physician will examine the patient's wound and check their health history to diagnose it and identify infectious agents present.
  • Treatment includes thoroughly cleaning the wound area, wound care, applying antibiotic creams, or ingesting antibiotic tablets/capsules. Severe case treatment may consist of antibiotics via IV drip and surgery. 

Synonyms include

  • Abrasions
  • Friction burns
  • Insect bites
  • Lacerations
  • Open wound
  • Splinter
  • Blister
  • Superficial injury
  • Obstetric surgical wound infection
  • Infection caused by prosthetic devices
  • Operation wound infection
  • Infection caused by foreign body accidentally left during a procedure

Popular search terms for wound infection ICD-10-CM codes

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  • ICD-10 wound infection
  • Wound infection diagnosis codes
  • ICD-10 codes for wound infections

Commonly asked questions

You may use a wound infection ICD code if you’ve confirmed that the patient has a wound confirmed to be infected. Please select the appropriate code based on the wound and cause.

Most of them are billable.

Common treatments for wound infection are usually wound care and topical or oral antibiotics. For severe cases, treatments may include surgery and antibiotics via IV drip.  It may even involve infusion, transfusion, and therapeutic injections.

Related ICDs

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