Person injured wh brd/alit from aircraft, init

This code signifies an injury sustained by an individual during the process of entering or exiting an aircraft. This includes incidents occurring on the jet bridge, stairs, or directly on the tarmac while actively boarding or deplaning. The injury is considered an initial encounter, meaning it's the first time the patient is receiving treatment for this specific incident.

Apply this code when a patient presents with an injury directly attributable to the act of boarding or alighting from any type of aircraft, such as a fall from the stairs, a door closing on a limb, or being struck by equipment during the process. This code is appropriate for the initial visit for treatment of the injury.

• Ensure the documentation clearly states the injury occurred during the boarding or alighting process, not during flight or after fully disembarking.
• Always pair this external cause code with a primary diagnosis code specifying the nature of the injury (e.g., fracture, sprain, contusion).
• The "A" seventh character indicates an initial encounter; subsequent care for the same injury will require different seventh characters.