ICD-10 Coding for Acute Pyelonephritis(N10)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Acute Pyelonephritis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Acute Pyelonephritis
Key Information: ICD-10 code for acute pyelonephritis
Essential facts and insights about Acute Pyelonephritis
Primary ICD-10-CM Code for acute pyelonephritis
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Presence of fever and flank pain with positive urine culture.
documentation Criteria
- Specify 'acute' and laterality if applicable.
Applicable To
- Acute pyelitis
- Acute pyelonephritis
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Fever ≥38.3°C
- Flank or CVA tenderness
- Pyuria or positive urine culture
Code-Specific Risks
- Ensure documentation specifies 'acute' to avoid misclassification.
Coding Notes
- Ensure to document the presence of systemic symptoms and specific organism if identified.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Unspecified Escherichia coli [E. coli] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
B96.20Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Acute cystitis without hematuria
N30.00Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Acute Pyelonephritis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code N10.
Impact
Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment choices., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Financial: Potential for reduced reimbursement.
Mitigation Strategy
Always document culture results., Include infectious agent code when applicable.
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: May result in non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Affects the accuracy of clinical data.
Mitigation Strategy
Query provider to confirm if the condition is acute or chronic.
Impact
Failure to sequence sepsis before pyelonephritis can lead to audit findings.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure documentation supports the primary diagnosis and sequence codes accordingly.
Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Acute Pyelonephritis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Acute Pyelonephritis
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Acute Pyelonephritis. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Emergency Department Visit
Specialty: Emergency MedicineRequired Elements
- Patient demographics
- Chief complaint
- History of present illness
- Physical examination findings
- Laboratory and imaging results
- Final diagnosis
- Treatment plan
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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