Bitten by rat, initial encounter

This code indicates an injury sustained from a rat bite, representing the initial presentation for care. The wound may involve skin lacerations, punctures, or abrasions caused by the rat's teeth. Patients may present with pain, bleeding, and a risk of infection.

Apply this code when documenting the first time a patient seeks medical attention for a rat bite. This includes emergency department visits, urgent care, or initial primary care consultations following the incident. It is appropriate for both minor and significant bite injuries.

• Always assign an external cause code (e.g., X20.XXXA for contact with venomous animals and plants) in conjunction with this code to fully describe the circumstances of the injury.
• Consider additional codes for open wounds (e.g., S61.01XA for open wound of finger with damage to nail) or infections if present.
• Ensure the "A" for initial encounter is used only for the first visit related to this specific injury. Subsequent visits for follow-up or complications would use "D" or "S" accordingly.