When should acute respiratory failure be coded as a secondary diagnosis?

Acute respiratory failure should be coded as a secondary diagnosis when it occurs after admission. This is important because secondary diagnoses are utilized to indicate conditions that arise during a hospital stay which may affect the patient's treatment or the length of stay. If acute respiratory failure develops after the patient has been initially admitted for another condition, it becomes vital to code it properly to reflect the full scope of the patient's medical care and complications.

In cases where it is the primary reason for admission, it should be coded as the principal diagnosis, not as a secondary one. The discharge summary is important for documentation, but coding should not be limited to just what's included in that summary. Lastly, there are circumstances where acute respiratory failure is relevant as a secondary diagnosis, so it is incorrect to state that it should never be coded in this way. Understanding when and how to code such diagnoses accurately helps ensure proper medical billing and reflects the overall health status of the patient during their hospital stay.