ICD-10-CM Billable Code

Z16.342

Resistance to multiple antimycobacterial drugs

Clinical Classification Guidelines

Medical Intelligence & Overview

Resistance to multiple antimycobacterial drugs occurs when Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria become resistant to several key medications used to treat tuberculosis (TB). This condition makes TB harder to treat and requires specialized treatment regimens. Recognized under ICD-10 code Z16.342, this form of drug resistance signifies a significant challenge in TB control worldwide, impacting treatment effectiveness and patient outcomes.

Causes & Symptoms

Clinical Causes: Inconsistent or incomplete treatment courses Incorrect medication dosing or regimens Poor adherence to prescribed therapy Use of substandard or contaminated medications Transmission of already resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Genetic mutations in bacteria leading to drug resistance

Key Symptoms: Persistent cough lasting more than three weeks Weight loss and fatigue Night sweats Fever and chills Coughing up blood or sputum Chest pain or discomfort No improvement or worsening of symptoms despite treatment

Diagnostic & Treatment

Diagnosis Path: Tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) Chest X-rays to identify pulmonary involvement Sputum smear microscopy Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for rapid detection Culture of sputum or other specimens for drug susceptibility testing (DST) Molecular tests such as line probe assays to identify resistance patterns

Treatment Protocols: A regimen of multiple antibiotics, including second-line drugs such as fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides Longer duration of therapy compared to drug-sensitive TB Monitoring through regular sputum tests and chest imaging Management of side effects and adverse reactions Adherence support, including directly observed therapy (DOT) Addressing any underlying factors contributing to resistance

Reimbursement claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015 require the use of ICD-10-CM codes.

Clinical Advice & FAQs

Billing Guidance

Is Z16.342 a billable ICD-10 code?
Yes, Z16.342 is a specific, billable code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

Documentation

How do I report Z16.342?
Clinical documentation must specify the nature of Resistance to multiple antimycobacterial drugs and any associated comorbidities for accurate reporting.

Cite this Clinical Reference

Clinical Meta Tags

drugs multiple resistance antimycobacterial