Effects of air pressure caused by explosion

This code signifies injuries or physiological disturbances resulting directly from the sudden increase and subsequent decrease in atmospheric pressure caused by an explosion. These effects can range from barotrauma to internal organ damage, often without direct physical impact from debris.

Assign this code when documentation explicitly states that a patient's injuries are due to the blast wave or pressure changes from an explosion. This includes conditions like blast lung, ruptured eardrums, or other barotrauma where the primary mechanism of injury is the pressure differential.

• Always sequence this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the specific injury codes (e.g., blast lung, tympanic membrane rupture).
• Ensure documentation clearly distinguishes between injuries from the blast wave versus those from flying debris or burns.
• Do not use for injuries caused by the physical impact of an explosion's force (e.g., being thrown against a wall) unless the pressure wave is also a contributing factor.