Toxic effect of rodenticides, assault, initial encounter

This code signifies a patient presenting with adverse health effects resulting from intentional poisoning by rodenticides, where the intent was to harm another person. The toxic exposure is acute and the patient is in the initial phase of treatment for these effects.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a patient has been poisoned by a rodenticide, and the circumstances surrounding the exposure are identified as an assault. This is appropriate for the first visit or encounter for the treatment of the toxic effects.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "assault" as the intent of the rodenticide exposure.
• Confirm the encounter is the initial treatment for the toxic effects; subsequent encounters will require a different seventh character.
• Always code the specific rodenticide if known, using additional codes for specific substances (e.g., warfarin, strychnine) if documented.