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R82.81
ICD-10-CM
Urine Leukocytes

Understanding Urine Leukocytes: Learn about the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of leukocytes in urine. This resource covers clinical significance, medical coding for urinalysis with WBCs, and proper documentation for healthcare professionals. Explore information on pyuria, urinary tract infection (UTI), and other related conditions. Find guidance on interpreting urine leukocyte esterase results and the role of microscopy in confirming the presence of white blood cells in urine.

Also known as

Pyuria
Leukocytes in Urine

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : White blood cells in urine, often indicating infection.
  • Clinical Signs : Cloudy or foul-smelling urine, burning with urination, frequent urination, back or pelvic pain.
  • Common Settings : Urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney infection (pyelonephritis), bladder stones, sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC R82.81 Coding
R82.81

Leukocyturia

Presence of white blood cells in the urine.

N39.0

Urinary tract infection, site not specified

Infection of the urinary system without specific location.

N30.00-N30.99

Cystitis

Inflammation of the urinary bladder.

N39.9

Urinary tract disorder, unspecified

General urinary problem without further details.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

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

Is there a documented UTI or other urinary infection?

  • Yes

    Is the organism specified?

  • No

    Is there another documented cause for leukocyturia?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Urine leukocytes present
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Asymptomatic bacteriuria

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Leukocyte presence: positive/negative
  • Urinalysis result details (e.g., +1, +2, etc.)
  • Method of urine collection
  • Symptoms related to urinary tract infection
  • If positive, correlation with clinical findings

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document UTI symptoms, location, and onset.
  • Order urine culture for positive leukocytes.
  • Specify leukocyte esterase and nitrite results.
  • Correlate findings with patient's clinical picture.
  • Consider ICD-10 R82.8, N39.0, or other relevant codes.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify urine dipstick leukocyte esterase result
  • Confirm with microscopic urine analysis for WBCs
  • Consider causes: UTI, stones, inflammation
  • Review patient symptoms: dysuria, frequency, urgency
  • Document findings and next steps in patient chart

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Urine Leukocytes Reimbursement: Impacts coding for UTI, pyuria, infections impacting DRG, APC assignment.
  • Coding Accuracy: Specific leukocyte esterase, nitrite, microscopy influence reimbursement. Avoid unspecified codes.
  • Quality Metrics Impact: Urine leukocytes presence impacts infection control, patient safety, sepsis reporting.
  • Hospital Reporting: Accurate urine leukocyte documentation influences infection prevalence data, resource allocation.

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 urine leukocytes with N03.2
  • Document pyuria findings clearly
  • Consider UTI diagnosis codes
  • Check for bacteriuria coding
  • Specify leukocyte esterase test

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints suggestive of urinary tract infection (UTI), including dysuria, urinary frequency, and urgency.  Urinalysis reveals the presence of urine leukocytes, indicating pyuria.  Leukocyte esterase is positive.  Nitrites may be positive or negative.  Patient denies fever, chills, or flank pain, suggesting a lower UTI such as cystitis or urethritis.  Differential diagnosis includes bladder infection, urethral infection, and sexually transmitted infections.  Microscopic examination of urine shows elevated white blood cell count.  Based on the clinical presentation and urinalysis findings, the diagnosis of urine leukocytes consistent with urinary tract infection is made.  Treatment plan includes antibiotic therapy with appropriate medication based on suspected pathogen and patient allergies.  Patient education provided on proper hydration, hygiene, and medication adherence.  Follow-up urinalysis recommended to assess treatment efficacy.  ICD-10 code N39.0, Urinary tract infection, site not specified, may be considered, with further specification based on confirmed site of infection.  CPT codes for urinalysis (81000, 81002) and office visit (99212-99215) will be applied based on complexity of visit.  Medical necessity for antibiotic prescription and further testing will be documented.
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