Contact with hot water in bath or tub, subsequent encounter

This code signifies an injury resulting from contact with hot water specifically within a bathtub or shower, during a follow-up visit for the initial injury. It indicates that the patient is receiving ongoing care for burns or other complications sustained from this type of thermal exposure.

Apply this code for subsequent encounters when a patient is being treated for burns or other adverse effects caused by hot water in a bath or tub. This includes follow-up appointments for wound care, infection management, or assessment of healing progress related to the initial incident.

• Ensure the encounter is for follow-up care, not the initial injury.
• Always code the specific type and severity of the burn in addition to this external cause code.
• Verify the injury occurred in a bath or tub, not from other hot water sources.