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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR88.0

R88.0

Cloudy (hemodialysis) (peritoneal) dialysis effluent

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 R88.0 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of cloudy (hemodialysis) (peritoneal) dialysis effluent.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Cloudy dialysis effluent is a significant clinical finding in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis. This abnormality typically indicates the presence of infection, such as peritonitis, or other complications like leakage or inflammation. The effluent may appear turbid due to the presence of white blood cells, bacteria, or other particulate matter. Clinicians must assess the patient's symptoms, including abdominal pain, fever, and changes in dialysis adequacy, to determine the underlying cause. Laboratory analysis of the effluent, including cell count, culture, and biochemical tests, is essential for diagnosis. Prompt identification and management of the cause of cloudy effluent are crucial to prevent serious complications, including sepsis or loss of dialysis access. The clinical context surrounding this finding is vital, as it can significantly impact patient outcomes and treatment strategies.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of underlying causes (infection, leakage, etc.)
  • Need for laboratory confirmation of diagnosis
  • Differentiation from other similar symptoms
  • Documentation of clinical findings and patient history

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of clinical findings
  • Failure to link symptoms to the diagnosis
  • Misclassification of the type of dialysis
  • Omission of laboratory results in the medical record

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed history of dialysis treatment, symptoms, and laboratory results must be documented.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with abdominal pain and cloudy effluent during routine dialysis.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of patient history, including previous infections or complications.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care documentation must include vital signs, symptom onset, and immediate lab results.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting to the emergency department with fever and cloudy effluent.

Billing Considerations

Rapid assessment and documentation of potential sepsis or other urgent complications.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R88.0 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • CM guidelines for coding symptoms and abnormal findings
  • Ensure that the diagnosis is supported by clinical documentation and laboratory results

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R88.0 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

90945CPT Code

Hemodialysis procedure

Clinical Scenario

Used when a patient on hemodialysis presents with cloudy effluent.

Documentation Requirements

Document the procedure details and any complications.

Specialty Considerations

Nephrology specialists should ensure accurate linkage between the procedure and diagnosis.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of symptoms and findings, improving the accuracy of diagnoses related to dialysis complications.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of symptoms and findings, improving the accuracy of diagnoses related to dialysis complications.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of symptoms and findings, improving the accuracy of diagnoses related to dialysis complications.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be documented to support the use of R88.0?

Documentation should include the patient's symptoms, laboratory results indicating cloudy effluent, and any relevant history of dialysis treatment.