AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2011 Issue 2; Ask the Editor
Acute Renal Failure and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
Coding Clinic, Third Quarter 2010, page 15, advised that it is appropriate to code both acute renal failure and chronic kidney failure when both are clearly documented by the provider. We are asking the Coding Clinic Editorial Advisory Board to revisit this advice and address acute renal failure in the presence of end stage renal disease (ESRD). It is our belief that a patient cannot have end stage renal disease and acute kidney failure, since the patient has no kidney function. Is it possible for a patient to have both acute renal failure and end stage renal disease during the same encounter? ...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This short Coding Clinic-based article discusses a kidney-related coding question involving acute renal failure and end stage renal disease in the same encounter. It is relevant to inpatient coders, CDI staff, and revenue cycle teams who review physician documentation for renal conditions and need to understand the scope of the guidance being discussed. The article centers on the documentation scenario, the Coding Clinic source being referenced, and the general implication for separate condition reporting.
Why This Topic Matters
Kidney-related diagnoses can affect code assignment, data quality, and clinical record interpretation. This article helps readers determine whether the content addresses documentation of concurrent renal conditions and the related Coding Clinic guidance.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames the documentation question involving acute renal failure and end stage renal disease.
- What broader clinical situations are discussed in relation to concurrent renal conditions.
- Which Coding Clinic discussion is referenced as the basis for the topic.
- How the article approaches the issue of separate condition reporting at a high level.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Clinical documentation integrity specialists
- Coding auditors
- Revenue cycle professionals
- Health information management staff
Codes Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.


Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com