Adult physical abuse, suspected, initial encounter

This code signifies a suspected case of physical abuse in an adult patient, where the injury or condition is being evaluated for the first time. It indicates that the healthcare provider has concerns about non-accidental trauma or harm inflicted by another person. The focus is on the initial assessment and investigation of these suspicious findings.

Use this code when an adult patient presents with injuries (e.g., bruises, fractures, burns) that are inconsistent with the reported history, or when there are other clinical indicators raising suspicion of physical abuse. This applies to the very first encounter where this suspicion is documented and the patient is being evaluated for these potential injuries.

• Always assign an additional code for the specific injury(ies) sustained due to the suspected abuse.
• Ensure documentation clearly supports the "suspected" nature of the abuse and that it is an "initial encounter."
• Do not use this code for confirmed abuse; other codes exist for confirmed cases.