Struck by raccoon, subsequent encounter

This code indicates that a patient sustained an injury resulting from being struck by a raccoon, and this particular encounter is for follow-up care after the initial treatment. This could involve complications, ongoing treatment, or assessment of recovery from the original incident.

This code is appropriate for any subsequent visit related to an injury caused by a raccoon impact, such as wound checks, physical therapy appointments, or medication adjustments. It should be used after the initial encounter for the same injury has already been coded.

• Always pair this external cause code with an injury code (e.g., a fracture, contusion, or open wound) to fully describe the patient's condition.
• Ensure the "D" seventh character is used only for subsequent encounters, not for the initial treatment of the injury.
• Consider additional codes for animal bites (W55.51-) if the raccoon also bit the patient, as being struck and bitten are distinct mechanisms of injury.