ICD10

ICD-10 Code R78.8: Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood

R78.8 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood. You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen. ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents finding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.

What it does not mean

  • A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
  • A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
  • This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.

Code hierarchy

chapter
18Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
block
R70-R79Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis
category
R78Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood
currentR78

Where you may see this code

You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.

Related specialists

General PhysicianHematologist

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.
Legacy codes
R78.8
Replacement codes
R78.81 — BacteremiaR78.89 — Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood

Common synonyms

Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeR78.8
SystemICD10
Display nameFinding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood
ChapterSymptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
BlockAbnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis

Flags

BillableNo
Valid clinical useNo

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.

ICD-10 Code R78.8 for Finding of other specified substances, not normally found in blood | HealthAssure