Question: Where can I find ICD-9 codes for accidental burn victims?
Oregon Subscriber
Answer: You’ll find them in the “E Codes” chapter of ICD-9 -- but choosing the right one depends on the nature of the accidental burn.
If fire caused the patient’s injury, you would choose an E code from the E890-E899 code set (Accidents caused by fire and flames).
For example, a patient whose shirt ignited when he stood too close to a pep-rally bonfire presents with arm burns. The proper E code in this case would be E893.2 (Accident caused by ignition of clothing; from controlled fire not in building or structure).
But there’s not always a fire when there’s a burn: People also suffer accidental burns when standing near stoves, in front of steam pipes, handling scalding water, etc.
If a patient has an accidental burn from a “hot” object, look to E924.x (Accident caused by hot substance or object, caustic or corrosive material, and steam).
For example, a woman burns herself when she trips and spills a pot of boiling water on her legs. In this case, the proper ICD-9 code is E924.0 (... hot liquids and vapors, including steam).
Reader Questions reviewed by Sarah L. Goodman, MBA, CPC-H, CCP, president of SLG Inc. in Raleigh, N.C.
