Corrosion of third degree of left forearm, initial encounter

This code signifies a severe burn injury affecting the full thickness of the skin and underlying tissues of the patient's left forearm. A third-degree corrosion implies extensive tissue damage, often appearing charred, leathery, or waxy, with nerve endings destroyed, leading to a lack of pain sensation in the immediate area.

Apply this code when documenting a patient presenting for the initial treatment of a third-degree chemical burn to the left forearm. This includes emergency department visits, initial hospital admissions, or the first outpatient encounter for this specific injury.

• Ensure the documentation clearly specifies "corrosion" (chemical burn) and not a thermal burn.
• Verify the laterality is precisely "left forearm" and not another anatomical site.
• Confirm this is the patient's first encounter for this specific injury to justify the "A" (initial encounter) seventh character.