Drown due to (nonpowered) inflatable craft sinking, subs

This code indicates a patient presenting for follow-up care or sequelae stemming from a drowning or near-drowning incident involving a non-motorized inflatable vessel that sank. The initial acute event has already been addressed, and this encounter focuses on ongoing treatment or complications.

Apply this code for subsequent visits related to conditions like aspiration pneumonia, hypoxic brain injury, electrolyte imbalances, or psychological trauma that resulted from the patient's submersion due to a capsized inflatable craft. This code is appropriate for any encounter after the initial treatment of the drowning event itself.

• Ensure the documentation clearly links the current encounter to the original drowning incident.
• Always code the specific sequelae or condition being treated first, followed by this external cause code.
• Confirm the "subsequent encounter" character (D) is appropriate, indicating care after the initial treatment phase.