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J18.1
ICD-10-CM
Pneumonia Right Lower Lobe

Find information on Pneumonia Right Lower Lobe diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes J18.1, J15.211, symptoms, treatment, and healthcare guidelines. Learn about right lower lobe pneumonia, causes, diagnosis codes, and best practices for accurate clinical documentation for physicians, nurses, and medical coders. Explore resources for pneumonia right lower lobe infiltrate, consolidation, and other related terms to improve your understanding and documentation practices.

Also known as

RLL Pneumonia
Right Lower Lobe Lung Infection

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Lung infection affecting the right lower lobe, causing inflammation and fluid buildup.
  • Clinical Signs : Cough, fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue.
  • Common Settings : Community-acquired, hospital-acquired, ventilator-associated.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC J18.1 Coding
J15-J18

Pneumonia

Inflammation of the lungs caused by various infections.

J12-J18

Influenza and Pneumonia

Respiratory illnesses including flu and lung infections.

J00-J99

Diseases of the respiratory system

Conditions affecting the airways, lungs, and breathing.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is the pneumonia community-acquired?

  • Yes

    Is it due to Streptococcus pneumoniae?

  • No

    Is it hospital-acquired?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Pneumonia, Right Lower Lobe
Pneumonia, Right Lung
Lobar Pneumonia, Unspecified

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Pneumonia right lower lobe diagnosis documentation
  • Document symptom onset, duration, and character
  • Physical exam findings: lung sounds, vital signs
  • Chest X-ray or CT scan results confirming RLL pneumonia
  • Specify bacterial vs viral vs atypical pneumonia if known

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Organism

    Coding pneumonia without specifying the causative organism when documented leads to inaccurate severity and treatment reflection.

  • Comorbidity Omission

    Failing to code coexisting conditions like COPD or CHF with pneumonia impacts risk adjustment and reimbursement.

  • Clinical Validation Gap

    Lack of proper clinical documentation to support the diagnosis of right lower lobe pneumonia can trigger audit denials.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document symptom onset, duration, & severity for accurate ICD-10-CM coding (J15.2)
  • Thorough exam findings support RLL pneumonia diagnosis & optimize DRG assignment
  • Query physician for clarity if documentation lacks specificity for CDI compliance
  • Ensure antibiotic selection aligns with documented pathogen for optimal treatment
  • Timely follow-up documentation reflects response to treatment & justifies LOS

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Right lower lobe infiltrate on chest imaging confirmed?
  • Symptoms consistent with pneumonia (cough, fever, dyspnea)?
  • Auscultation findings correlate with imaging (e.g., crackles)?
  • Consider other diagnoses (e.g., atelectasis, pleural effusion)?
  • Document code J15.211 Pneumonia, right lower lobe

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Pneumonia Right Lower Lobe Reimbursement: ICD-10 J18.1 impacts DRG, APR-DRG reimbursement.
  • Coding Accuracy: Correct Pneumonia laterality coding (right lower lobe) maximizes reimbursement.
  • Hospital Reporting: Accurate J18.1 coding improves quality data for pneumonia severity, outcomes.
  • Quality Metrics Impact: Accurate diagnosis and coding impacts hospital-acquired pneumonia reporting.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

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

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code J18.1 for Pneumonia RLL
  • Document RLL infiltrate
  • Query physician if unspecified
  • Consider additional codes for etiology
  • Review laterality documentation

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with symptoms consistent with pneumonia right lower lobe.  Presenting complaints include productive cough with yellow-green sputum, fever, chills, shortness of breath, and right-sided pleuritic chest pain.  On physical examination, the patient exhibits decreased breath sounds and dullness to percussion over the right lower lung field.  Crackles and rhonchi are also auscultated in the right lower lobe.  The patient reports recent onset of symptoms, approximately one week in duration.  Vital signs reveal an elevated temperature of 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, heart rate of 110 beats per minute, respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute, and oxygen saturation of 92% on room air.  Based on clinical presentation and physical exam findings, the diagnosis of right lower lobe pneumonia is suspected.  Differential diagnoses include bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and right lower lobe infiltrate.  Chest X-ray ordered to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of pulmonary involvement.  Treatment plan includes antibiotic therapy with azithromycin, prescribed as 500mg on day one followed by 250mg daily for five days.  Patient education provided regarding medication administration, hydration, rest, and follow-up care.  The patient is instructed to return for reevaluation in one week or sooner if symptoms worsen.  ICD-10 code J18.1, Pneumonia, organism unspecified, right lower lobe, is documented.  CPT codes for evaluation and management services, as well as chest X-ray, will be determined based on the complexity of the visit.  Patient advised to monitor for signs and symptoms of respiratory distress and to seek immediate medical attention if necessary.