Contact with knife, initial encounter

This code signifies an injury or adverse event resulting from direct contact with a knife. It covers situations where a patient has been cut, stabbed, or otherwise harmed by a knife, regardless of intent. This initial encounter designation indicates the patient is receiving active treatment for the injury.

Apply this code for emergency department visits, urgent care encounters, or initial physician office visits where a patient presents with an injury directly caused by a knife. This includes accidental cuts during food preparation, occupational injuries, or assault-related stab wounds, provided it's the first time the patient is being treated for this specific injury.

• Always assign an external cause code (V00-Y99) in conjunction with this code to fully describe the circumstances of the injury.
• Ensure a corresponding injury code (e.g., S00-T88) is also reported to specify the nature and site of the wound.
• Verify that this is indeed the initial encounter for treatment; subsequent encounters for follow-up care or complications will require different seventh characters.