Bitten by sea lion, sequela

This diagnosis code indicates a health condition or complication arising as a direct consequence of a previous sea lion bite. It is used when the initial injury has healed, but the patient is still experiencing residual effects or long-term problems attributable to the bite.

Apply this code for follow-up encounters where a patient presents with chronic pain, scarring, nerve damage, infection complications, or psychological sequelae (e.g., PTSD) directly resulting from a past sea lion bite. This code is appropriate after the acute phase of the initial injury has passed and the patient is being treated for the lasting impact.

• Always sequence this code after the code describing the specific sequela (e.g., chronic pain, scar, nerve damage).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the previous sea lion bite.
• Do not use for the initial encounter of the sea lion bite; use the acute injury code for that.