Bitten by other nonvenomous marine animals, init encntr

This code signifies an injury sustained from a bite by a nonvenomous marine animal other than those specifically classified elsewhere (e.g., sharks, turtles). The injury is typically a puncture wound, laceration, or abrasion caused by the animal's teeth or mouthparts. This initial encounter indicates the patient is receiving active treatment for the bite.

Apply this code when documenting the first visit for a patient presenting with a bite wound from an unspecified nonvenomous marine creature. Examples include bites from non-venomous fish, crustaceans, or other aquatic invertebrates. This code is appropriate for initial assessment, wound cleaning, and primary treatment.

• Always assign an external cause code (V00-Y99) to provide more specific details about the circumstances of the injury.
• Do not use for bites from venomous marine animals; refer to codes in T63.-.
• Ensure the encounter is truly "initial" for this specific injury; subsequent care would use a different encounter character.