Poisoning by digestants, assault, sequela

This code indicates a long-term health condition or complication resulting from a past intentional poisoning by a digestant substance, such as an antacid, laxative, or enzyme preparation. The original poisoning was inflicted by another person with intent to harm. The sequela could manifest as chronic gastrointestinal issues, organ damage, or other persistent health problems.

Apply this code when documenting a patient presenting with a current health problem directly attributable to a digestant poisoning that occurred in the past, where the original poisoning was an assault. This code is for the residual effects, not the acute poisoning event itself. Examples include chronic esophageal stricture or malabsorption syndrome stemming from a prior assaultive ingestion of a corrosive digestant.

• Always sequence this sequela code after the code for the specific nature of the sequela (e.g., K22.2 for esophageal obstruction).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to a past digestant poisoning and specifies the assaultive intent.
• Do not use for accidental or self-harm poisonings; specific codes exist for those circumstances.