AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2019 Issue 3; Ask the Editor

Kidney Stone and Pyelonephritis

A patient who has a history of kidney stones and appendectomy presents to the emergency department due to left lower quadrant pain.  A computed tomography (CT) scan was performed which revealed pyelonephritis and bilateral nonobstructive renal calculi. When referencing the main term “pyelonephritis” in the Alphabetic Index, there is a subentry for “with calculus” that directs to code N20.0, Calculus of kidney. However, the patient was admitted because of the pyelonephritis, not kidney stones. The focus of treatment was for the infection, and minimal resources were used for the stone. What is the appropriate code assignment for this patient? ...

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