Accidental scratch by another person, subsequent encounter

This code signifies a follow-up encounter for a superficial skin injury, specifically a scratch, that was unintentionally inflicted by another individual. It indicates that the initial assessment and treatment for the scratch have already occurred, and the patient is now being seen for ongoing care, monitoring, or complications related to the original injury.

Use this code when a patient presents for a subsequent visit concerning a scratch sustained from another person, such as a child scratching a parent or a playful pet owner being scratched by their animal. This could include visits for wound check, infection assessment, or removal of sutures/dressings if applicable.

• Ensure the encounter is truly "subsequent" and not the initial presentation of the injury.
• Always code with an external cause code (e.g., Y93.89 for other specified activity) to fully describe the circumstances.
• Consider an additional code for any associated infection (e.g., L03.11X) if present.