Each month, IBC will feature an example of how ICD-9 codes will translate to
ICD-10 codes. We will present coding examples from different specialties and
popular disease categories to demonstrate the granularity that the new ICD-10
code set will provide.
Clinical concept: ICD-10 distinction between burns and
corrosions
This article will explore the new clinical concept that distinguishes burns and
corrosions as conveyed in ICD-10.
In ICD-9, burn codes are reported by body site, depth, extent, and an
additional code to identify the external cause when applicable. The same will
be reported in ICD-10 but with a few additional concepts. The additional
concepts are reporting the agent or cause of the corrosion, laterality, and
encounter. ICD-10 also makes a distinction between burns and corrosions. Burn
codes apply to thermal burns (except sunburns) that come from a heat source,
such as fire, hot appliance, electricity, and radiation. Corrosions are burns
due to chemicals.
In ICD-9, burns and corrosions are classified by:
Body site
Depth
Erythema: First degree
Blistering: Second degree
Full thickness involvement: Third degree
Extent
Total Body Surface Area (TBSA)
External cause ? to identify the source, place, and intent of the burn/corrosion
In ICD-10, burns and corrosions are classified by:
Body site
Depth
Erythema: First degree
Blistering: Second degree
Full thickness involvement: Third degree
Extent
Total Body Surface Area (TBSA)
External cause/Agent
External cause ? to identify the source, place, and intent of the burn
Agent ? to identify the chemical substance of the corrosion
Laterality
Right
Left
Unspecified
Encounter ? For burns and corrosions, the seventh character designates the
episode of care as:
Initial encounter = A
Subsequent encounter = D
Sequela = S
ICD-9: Body site, Depth, Extent, External cause
Same code used for burns and corrosions
Body site, Depth
Extent (TBSA)
External cause
Burn/Corrosion
945.26 Blisters with epidermal loss due to burn (second degree) of thigh (any
part)
948.10 Burn (any degree) involving 10 ? 19% of body surface with third degree
burn of less than 10% or unspecified amount
E988.1 Injury by burns or fire, undetermined whether accidentally or purposely
inflicted
ICD-10: Body site, Depth, Encounter, Laterality, Extent,
External cause/Agent
Distinct codes used for burns and corrosions
Body site, Depth, Encounter, Laterality
Extent (TBSA)
External cause/Agent
Burn
T24.211A Burn of second degree of right thigh, initial encounter
T31.10 Burns involving 10 ? 19% of body surface with 0 ? 9% third degree burns
X00.3XXA Fall from burning building or structure in uncontrolled fire, initial
encounter
Corrosion
T24.611A Corrosion of second degree of right thigh, initial encounter
T32.10 Corrosions involving 10-19% of body surface with 0 ? 9% third degree
corrosions
T52.0X1A Toxic effect of petroleum products, accidental (unintentional),
initial encounter
A complete list of all ICD-10 coding examples featured to date can be found
here:
>> ICD-10 Spotlight: Know the codes booklet
For additional information related to the IBC transition to ICD-10, please
visit the ICD-10 section
of our website.
Note: Burns of the eye and internal organs are classified
by site, not by degree.