Contact with hypodermic needle, sequela

This code signifies a long-term or late-developing health problem resulting from an accidental puncture or injury by a hypodermic needle. It indicates that the initial contact with the needle occurred in the past, and the patient is now presenting with a residual condition directly attributable to that event.

Use this code when documenting a patient presenting with a sequela, such as chronic infection, nerve damage, or a foreign body granuloma, that is directly linked to a past hypodermic needle stick injury. This code is appropriate for conditions that manifest after the initial healing of the immediate injury.

• Always sequence this code after the code for the specific sequela (e.g., chronic hepatitis B, nerve entrapment).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to a past hypodermic needle injury.
• Do not use this code for acute needle stick injuries; those require codes from the initial encounter category.