In simple words: This code is used when someone accidentally drowns or nearly drowns, and the reason for the incident is unknown.

This code describes an accidental drowning or submersion event where the specific cause is not documented or unknown. It excludes drowning and submersion related to falls into water (W16.-), water transport accidents (V90.-, V92.-), or cataclysmic events (X34-X39).

Example 1: A patient is found unconscious in a swimming pool with no witnesses or clear evidence of how they entered the water.There are no signs of trauma or foul play. In the absence of a specific cause, W74 is used., A child is pulled, unresponsive, from a bathtub. There is no evidence of a slip or fall, or any other known cause for submersion. W74 would be appropriate in this scenario., A lifeguard discovers an unconscious person floating in the ocean, with no apparent reason for the submersion. The lifeguard and emergency medical personnel could not ascertain the reason. W74 is applied.

Detailed documentation of the event should include the location where the victim was found, environmental conditions, any witnesses' accounts, and the victim's condition upon rescue. Any subsequent medical treatment and diagnosis (e.g., cerebral hypoxia, aspiration pneumonia) related to the drowning should also be documented.

** This code captures the cause of the injury/condition, not the nature of the injury itself. Conditions like cerebral hypoxia or aspiration pneumonia resulting from the near-drowning would have separate codes. Remember, as of today's date, November 30, 2024, this information is current, but medical coding is subject to change.