The ICD-10 code range T50-T62 is designated for burns and corrosions confined to the eye and internal organs. These codes are used to document injuries resulting from thermal, chemical, or radiation burns, as well as corrosions affecting the eye and internal organs. The codes differentiate between burns of varying degrees and corrosions, and also specify the location of the injury.

Key Usage Points:

•Use these codes to document burns and corrosions of the eye and internal organs.
•The codes differentiate between first, second, and third degree burns.
•Corrosions are differentiated from burns in these codes.
•The location of the injury is specified within the code.
•These codes are not used for burns or corrosions affecting the skin or external body parts.

Coding Guidelines

When to Use:

✓When a patient presents with a thermal, chemical, or radiation burn to the eye or an internal organ.
✓When a patient has a corrosion injury to the eye or an internal organ.
✓When documenting the degree of a burn or corrosion to the eye or an internal organ.
✓When the location of a burn or corrosion injury is within the eye or an internal organ.

When NOT to Use:

✗When a burn or corrosion is on the skin or an external body part.
✗When a burn or corrosion is not specified as to degree or location.
✗When a burn or corrosion is due to a medical procedure.
✗When a burn or corrosion is due to a self-inflicted injury.

Code Exclusions

Always verify exclusions with the most current version of the ICD-10 coding manual.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation for burns and corrosions to the eye and internal organs should include the cause of the injury, the degree of the burn or corrosion, and the specific location of the injury. Any complications or related conditions should also be documented.

Clinical Information:

•Cause of the burn or corrosion
•Degree of the burn or corrosion
•Specific location of the injury
•Any complications or related conditions
•Treatment provided or planned

Supporting Evidence:

•Medical history and physical examination findings
•Imaging or other diagnostic test results
•Operative reports if surgery was performed
•Progress notes documenting the course of treatment

Good Documentation Example:

Patient presented with a second degree chemical burn to the cornea of the right eye due to an industrial accident. Treatment included irrigation of the eye and topical antibiotic therapy.

Poor Documentation Example:

Patient has a burn to the eye.

Common Documentation Errors:

⚠Not specifying the cause of the burn or corrosion
⚠Not specifying the degree of the burn or corrosion
⚠Not specifying the location of the injury
⚠Not documenting any complications or related conditions

Range Statistics

Total Codes

Billable

Complexity:

Medium

Primary Use:Clinical Documentation

Chapter:

Coding Complexity

Medium

Complexity Rating

The coding complexity for burns and corrosions to the eye and internal organs is rated as medium due to the need to accurately determine the cause, degree, and location of the injury, as well as any complications or related conditions. The coder must also be able to apply the correct code for the injury.

Key Factors:

▸Determining the cause of the burn or corrosion
▸Determining the degree of the burn or corrosion
▸Identifying the specific location of the injury
▸Documenting any complications or related conditions
▸Applying the correct code for the injury

Specialty Focus

These codes are most commonly used by ophthalmologists, emergency medicine physicians, and surgeons. They are also used by other specialists who treat patients with injuries to the eye and internal organs.

Primary Specialties:

Ophthalmology

40%

Emergency Medicine

30%

Surgery

30%

Clinical Scenarios:

• A patient presents to the emergency department with a chemical burn to the eye due to an industrial accident.
• A patient undergoes surgery for a third degree burn to the liver due to a house fire.
• A patient is seen in the ophthalmology clinic for follow-up care after a radiation burn to the retina.
• A patient is admitted to the hospital for treatment of a corrosion injury to the stomach due to ingestion of a caustic substance.

Resources & References

Resources for coding burns and corrosions to the eye and internal organs include the ICD-10 coding manual, clinical guidelines from professional medical societies, and educational materials from coding organizations.

Official Guidelines:

ICD-10 coding manual
Clinical guidelines from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
Clinical guidelines from the American College of Surgeons
Clinical guidelines from the American College of Emergency Physicians

Clinical References:

Medical textbooks and journals
Clinical case studies
Online medical databases

Educational Materials:

Coding workshops and webinars
Online coding courses
Coding certification study materials

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine the degree of a burn or corrosion?

The degree of a burn or corrosion is determined by the depth of the injury. First degree burns or corrosions affect only the surface of the tissue, second degree burns or corrosions extend into the deeper layers of tissue, and third degree burns or corrosions involve the full thickness of the tissue.