Toxic effect of venom of N & S American snake, acc, init

This code signifies a patient presenting with adverse health effects resulting from an accidental bite by a venomous snake native to North or South America, excluding rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and coral snakes. The patient is receiving active treatment for the toxic effects of the venom.

Apply this code when documenting the initial treatment phase for a patient who has been unintentionally envenomated by a snake such as a fer-de-lance, bushmaster, or other specified American pit viper or elapid. This is appropriate for the first encounter where the injury is evaluated and definitive care is initiated.

• Ensure the snake is identified as a North or South American species, and not one of the more common types with specific codes.
• Confirm the encounter is the "initial encounter" for this specific injury, indicating active treatment.
• Always sequence this code first when it represents the primary reason for the encounter.