Assault by steam or hot vapors, initial encounter

This code describes an injury resulting from an intentional act of violence where the patient is harmed by steam or hot vapors. This includes burns or respiratory tract damage caused by exposure to superheated water vapor or other hot gaseous substances, inflicted by another person with intent to injure.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates that the patient's injury from steam or hot vapors was due to an assault. This is appropriate for the initial treatment of such an injury, such as in an emergency department visit or initial hospitalization.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states the injury was due to an "assault" or "intentional harm" by another party.
• Confirm the mechanism of injury is specifically "steam or hot vapors," not other forms of heat.
• Verify this is the patient's first encounter for this specific injury; subsequent encounters will require a different seventh character.