Accidental handgun discharge, subsequent encounter

This code describes an injury or adverse health effect resulting from the unintended firing of a handgun, occurring during a follow-up visit or after the initial treatment phase. It indicates that the patient is receiving continuing care for complications, healing, or rehabilitation related to the initial accidental discharge.

Apply this code when a patient presents for subsequent care following an accidental handgun discharge, such as wound checks, physical therapy for associated injuries, or management of infection. It is appropriate for any encounter after the initial emergency or acute care for the original incident.

• Always sequence this external cause code after the primary diagnosis code(s) describing the specific injury or condition.
• Ensure the seventh character "D" is correctly appended for subsequent encounters.
• Do not use for initial treatment of the injury; refer to the "A" seventh character for initial encounters.