Accidental handgun malfunction, initial encounter

This code signifies an injury or adverse event resulting from an unintended operational failure of a handgun, such as an accidental discharge, jamming, or other mechanical defect. It specifically applies to the initial presentation for care related to this incident.

Use this code when documenting the first encounter for a patient who has sustained an injury due to a handgun malfunctioning, rather than being intentionally fired or discharged due to user error. Examples include a gun firing while being cleaned due to a mechanical issue, or a misfire causing injury.

• Ensure the documentation clearly states the handgun malfunctioned, not that it was discharged intentionally or due to user negligence.
• Always assign an external cause code for the injury sustained.
• This "A" suffix indicates the initial encounter for treatment; subsequent encounters will require different seventh characters.