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Z87.448
ICD-10-CM
History of Pyelonephritis

Understand the documentation and coding requirements for a history of pyelonephritis. Find information on clinical indicators, ICD-10 codes (N88.0, N88.1, N88.8, N88.9), medical necessity guidelines, past medical history documentation, and chronic pyelonephritis diagnosis. This resource helps healthcare professionals accurately document and code encounters related to a history of pyelonephritis for optimal reimbursement and patient care. Learn about acute pyelonephritis vs. chronic pyelonephritis and ensure proper coding for recurrent urinary tract infections.

Also known as

Chronic Kidney Infection
Recurrent Pyelonephritis

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Prior kidney infection(s) caused by bacteria.
  • Clinical Signs : May be asymptomatic or have flank pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination.
  • Common Settings : Outpatient clinics, emergency departments, hospitals (for severe cases).

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC Z87.448 Coding
N10-N16

Tubulo-interstitial diseases

Covers chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis, including pyelonephritis sequelae.

N13

Obstructive and reflux uropathy

Conditions predisposing to or causing pyelonephritis may be found here.

Z87.4

Personal history of urinary diseases

Specific code for personal history of pyelonephritis and other urinary diseases.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the pyelonephritis currently active?

  • Yes

    Do NOT code history of. Code the active pyelonephritis (N10-N12).

  • No

    Any specified complications?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
History of pyelonephritis
Acute pyelonephritis
Chronic pyelonephritis

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Document fever, flank pain, and/or dysuria.
  • WBC, UA, and blood culture results.
  • Imaging studies (if performed) findings.
  • Specify acute or chronic pyelonephritis.
  • Document any causative organism if identified.

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Laterality

    Coding pyelonephritis without specifying laterality (left, right, or bilateral) can lead to claim rejections and inaccurate data reporting.

  • Acute vs. Chronic

    Misclassifying acute and chronic pyelonephritis (N10 vs. N11) impacts severity scores and reimbursement. Clear documentation is crucial.

  • Obstructive vs. Non-obstructive

    Failing to document the presence or absence of obstruction can lead to incorrect coding and underreporting complexity.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document fever, flank pain, and positive urine culture for accurate ICD-10-CM coding (N10).
  • Specify acute or chronic pyelonephritis for proper CDI and HCC risk adjustment.
  • Query physician for laterality (left, right, bilateral) to improve coding specificity.
  • Ensure documentation links UTI symptoms to pyelonephritis diagnosis for compliant billing.
  • Review prior UTI history and treatment to support chronic pyelonephritis coding when applicable.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify documented UTI with fever, flank pain, or CVA tenderness.
  • Confirm positive urine culture or imaging suggestive of pyelonephritis.
  • Check for prior history of UTI or pyelonephritis (ICD-10 N88.0, N88.1).
  • Review medication list for antibiotics, assess for appropriate duration.

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Pyelonephritis coding accuracy impacts MS-DRG assignment and reimbursement.
  • History of pyelonephritis diagnosis affects APR-DRG severity and hospital case mix index.
  • Accurate ICD-10-CM coding for pyelonephritis history is crucial for appropriate reimbursement.
  • Pyelonephritis coding quality impacts hospital quality reporting and public health data.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes. Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code acute/chronic
  • Document fever,flank pain
  • Laterality:unilateral/bilateral
  • Query physician for cause
  • Consider N10-N12, N39.0

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with a history of pyelonephritis.  The patient reports previous episodes of acute pyelonephritis, confirmed by documented urinary tract infection (UTI) with flank pain, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.  Prior urinalysis results demonstrated pyuria, bacteriuria, and positive leukocyte esterase and nitrites.  Past medical history includes recurrent UTIs, possibly associated with anatomical abnormalities or functional bladder issues.  The patient may have received prior antibiotic treatment for pyelonephritis with agents such as fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.  Current symptoms may include persistent or recurrent flank pain, dysuria, frequency, urgency, or malaise.  Differential diagnosis includes other causes of flank pain such as nephrolithiasis or musculoskeletal pain.  Plan includes assessment for recurrent UTI symptoms, urinalysis with culture and sensitivity, and consideration for renal imaging such as ultrasound or CT scan to evaluate for underlying kidney abnormalities or complications like renal scarring or abscess.  Patient education regarding preventative measures for UTIs, such as increasing fluid intake and proper hygiene, will be provided.  Follow-up care will be arranged to monitor symptom resolution and ensure appropriate management of any underlying conditions contributing to recurrent pyelonephritis.  ICD-10 code N11.8 will be considered for history of pyelonephritis, and additional codes may be necessary depending on presenting symptoms and diagnostic findings.
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