Assault by handgun discharge, initial encounter

This code signifies an injury sustained as a direct result of a handgun being fired with the intent to harm, where the patient is the victim of the assault. It specifically captures the mechanism of injury as a discharge from a handgun in an assaultive context, rather than an accidental or self-inflicted injury. This initial encounter code indicates the patient is receiving active treatment for the injury.

Apply this code when a patient presents with an injury, such as a gunshot wound, that is documented as being caused by another person intentionally firing a handgun at them. This is appropriate for the initial visit for treatment of the acute injury resulting from the assault. It should be used in conjunction with codes for the specific type of injury sustained (e.g., gunshot wound to the abdomen).

• Always sequence this external cause code after the primary injury code.
• Ensure documentation clearly specifies the weapon as a "handgun" and the intent as "assault."
• Verify the encounter is the "initial encounter" for active treatment of the injury. Subsequent encounters will require different seventh characters.