Hunting rifle discharge, undetermined intent, init encntr

This code signifies an injury resulting from a hunting rifle discharge where the intent (accidental, self-harm, assault) cannot be determined by the healthcare provider. It specifically applies to the initial treatment of such an injury.

This code is appropriate when a patient presents with an injury caused by a hunting rifle, and the medical record does not clearly indicate whether the discharge was accidental, intentional self-harm, or an assault. It should be used for the first encounter for this specific injury.

• Always review the entire medical record for any clues regarding intent before assigning "undetermined."
• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "hunting rifle" as the weapon type.
• Pair this code with an external cause code for the specific injury sustained.