Assault by cutting and piercing instrument

This code signifies an injury resulting from an intentional act of violence involving a sharp object. It specifically describes harm inflicted upon a person by another individual using instruments designed for cutting or piercing. This includes wounds such as stabbings or lacerations caused by knives, razors, broken glass, or similar implements during an assault.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a patient sustained an injury from an assault involving a cutting or piercing instrument. This applies to emergency department visits, inpatient admissions, or outpatient encounters where such an etiology is established. The medical record should explicitly state the injury was due to an assault and specify the type of instrument used.

• Always sequence this E-code as a secondary diagnosis to identify the external cause of the injury.
• Ensure the primary diagnosis code accurately reflects the specific type of injury sustained (e.g., open wound, stab wound).
• Differentiate from accidental injuries (e.g., E920.x for accidental cuts) or self-inflicted injuries (e.g., E956).