Drown due to (nonpowered) inflatable craft overturning, subs

This code signifies an injury or adverse health effect resulting from a drowning or near-drowning incident involving the capsizing of a non-motorized inflatable vessel. This particular code is used when the patient is being seen for follow-up care or complications after the initial injury has been treated.

Apply this code for patients presenting for subsequent treatment of conditions directly related to a prior drowning or near-drowning event caused by an inflatable craft overturning. Examples include follow-up for aspiration pneumonia, neurological deficits, or other sequelae after initial hospitalization. It should be used for any encounter after the initial acute treatment.

• Requires a seventh character "D" for subsequent encounter.
• Always sequence this external cause code after the primary diagnosis describing the nature of the injury or condition.
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current encounter to the original drowning incident involving an inflatable craft.