Why was fluid overload coded in case scenario 5 when it is a symptom of chronic kidney disease?
In this scenario the patient was initially admitted for investigation of acute on chronic renal failure however the focus of the admission was the management of fluid overload. As per ACS 0002 Additional diagnoses – Problems and underlying conditions: ‘If a problem with a known underlying cause is being treated, then both conditions should be coded (see also ACS 0001 Principal diagnosis, Problems and underlying conditions). ‘ Therefore in this case scenario a code has been assigned for fluid overload (E87.7) as it was documented that the condition did not improve after 10 days treatment.
