Guidelines for Multiple Injuries

Why This Topic Matters

Multiple injury encounters can involve more than one code, and correct sequencing affects how the record is represented. This article helps users understand the broad framework for selecting and ordering injury codes under ICD-9-CM guidance.

Article Sections

1. General rules for multiple injuries

   Introduces the general approach to coding more than one injury and discusses when broader injury reporting guidance may apply. It also references the availability of combination and multiple-injury coding concepts within ICD-9-CM.

2. Sequencing and associated minor injuries

   Covers ordering of injuries when one injury is considered more serious than another and discusses how associated minor superficial injuries are treated in relation to more severe injuries at the same site.

3. Primary injury with related nerve or vessel involvement

   Addresses situations where a main injury is accompanied by minor damage to nerves or blood vessels, as well as scenarios where the primary injury involves those structures.

4. Correction/Clarification Notice

   Contains an official clarification notice tied to Coding Clinic and presents a related example involving abdominal wall and vascular injury coding in ICD-9-CM.