Acute renal failure, also known as acute kidney injury (AKI), is a serious condition characterized by the sudden loss of kidney function. In medical coding and diagnostics, the Diagnosis Code For Acute Renal Failure is crucial for accurate record-keeping, billing, and understanding patient health. This article delves into the specifics of the ICD-10-CM code N17.9, providing a comprehensive overview for healthcare professionals and anyone seeking to understand this critical diagnostic tool.
ICD-10-CM code N17.9, officially titled “Acute kidney failure, unspecified,” is a billable/specific code within the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) system. This code is used to designate a diagnosis of acute kidney failure when the specific type or cause of the condition is not specified in the medical record. Effective since October 1, 2015, and updated annually with the latest version being the 2025 edition effective October 1, 2024, N17.9 is the standard code for this condition in the American ICD-10-CM system. It’s important to note that international versions of ICD-10 N17.9 might have slight variations.
What Conditions Does N17.9 Encompass?
The code N17.9 is applicable to diagnoses such as acute kidney injury (nontraumatic). This means that when a patient presents with a sudden decline in kidney function due to non-traumatic causes, and the specific type of acute kidney failure is not further specified, N17.9 is the appropriate code to use.
Exclusions and Inclusions: Type 2 Excludes Explained
It’s important to understand the “Type 2 Excludes” note associated with N17.9. This note indicates conditions that are “not included here,” but crucially, it also clarifies that a patient can have both the condition coded by N17.9 and the excluded condition simultaneously. In essence, the exclude note is for classification purposes and does not prevent coding for co-existing conditions.
Annotation Back-References: Understanding Related Codes
ICD-10-CM codes often have annotations that provide further context and coding guidance. “Annotation back-references” in the context of N17.9 refer to other codes that contain various annotations (like “Applicable To,” “Code Also,” “Excludes,” etc.) that might be relevant when coding with N17.9. These references guide coders to consider related conditions and ensure comprehensive and accurate coding.
Synonyms for N17.9: Expanding the Clinical Picture
Understanding the synonyms for N17.9 provides a broader clinical perspective. These approximate synonyms include:
- Acute nontraumatic kidney injury
- Acute renal failure
- Acute renal failure after procedure
- Acute renal failure due to ACE inhibitor
- Acute renal failure due to contrast agent
- Acute renal failure due to obstruction
- Acute renal failure from obstruction
- Acute renal failure on dialysis
- Acute renal failure syndrome
- Acute with chronic renal failure
- Acute-on-chronic renal failure
- Injury kidney, nontraumatic, acute
- Postprocedural acute renal failure
- Prerenal kidney failure
- Prerenal renal failure
- Renal failure (ARF), acute, ACE inhibitor-induced
This extensive list highlights the various clinical scenarios where acute renal failure, and consequently N17.9, can be applied.
Clinical Information: Defining Acute Renal Failure
Clinically, acute renal failure is characterized by a rapid decline in kidney function. It is traditionally categorized into three main types based on the cause:
- Pre-renal: Caused by reduced blood flow to the kidneys (e.g., dehydration, heart failure).
- Renal (Intrinsic): Caused by direct damage to the kidney tissues themselves (e.g., glomerulonephritis, acute tubular necrosis).
- Post-renal: Caused by obstruction of urine outflow from the kidneys (e.g., kidney stones, tumors).
Regardless of the underlying cause, acute renal failure manifests as a sudden decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), often accompanied by oliguria (reduced urine production). Biochemically, it leads to a rise in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine concentrations, indicating the kidneys’ reduced ability to filter waste products from the blood.
Diagnostic Related Groups (DRG)
ICD-10-CM codes are used in the Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) system, which is used for hospital reimbursement. N17.9 falls within specific DRGs, influencing hospital billing and resource allocation.
Code History and Reimbursement
The code N17.9 has been consistently updated annually since its introduction in 2016, with no changes to the code definition through the 2025 edition. It’s crucial to use ICD-10-CM codes, including N17.9, for reimbursement claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015.
In conclusion, understanding the diagnosis code for acute renal failure, particularly ICD-10-CM N17.9, is essential for accurate medical coding, clinical documentation, and healthcare management. This code serves as a fundamental tool for classifying and tracking cases of acute kidney failure in the medical field.
