Fall same lev from slip/trip w strike agnst oth object, init

This code describes an injury resulting from a fall on the same level where the patient first slipped, tripped, or stumbled, and subsequently struck another object. This indicates a two-part mechanism of injury: an initial loss of balance followed by an impact with an external item.

Use this code when documenting an initial encounter for a patient who fell due to slipping, tripping, or stumbling on a flat surface, and then hit something like a piece of furniture, a wall, or another person. This applies to incidents such as tripping over a rug and hitting a table, or slipping on a wet floor and striking a counter.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies both the "slipping, tripping, or stumbling" and the "striking against other object" components of the fall.
• This code is for the initial encounter of the injury; subsequent encounters for the same injury will require a different seventh character.
• Always code the nature of the injury (e.g., fracture, contusion) in addition to this external cause code.