2025 ICD-10-CM code T22.2
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Injury - Burns and corrosions of external body surface, specified by site Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes Feed
Second-degree burn of the shoulder and upper limb (excluding wrist and hand).
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the encounter and the services performed.
Medical necessity for treating a second-degree burn is established by the presence of a significant burn injury that requires medical intervention to prevent infection, promote healing, and manage pain. The extent of the burn, the patient's age and overall health status, and the presence of any complications (e.g., infection) are all factors considered to determine the medical necessity of treatment.
The clinical responsibility for this code involves the assessment, treatment, and documentation of a second-degree burn injury. This includes wound care, pain management, and monitoring for complications.The physician or other qualified healthcare professional will need to determine the extent of the burn, document the burn’s location and severity, and select appropriate treatment strategies.
- Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
- T20-T32 Burns and corrosions
In simple words: This code describes a second-degree burn on the shoulder or upper arm, but not the wrist or hand. A second-degree burn is a burn that goes deeper than a sunburn and causes blisters.Doctors will need additional information about what caused the burn.
This code classifies a second-degree burn affecting the shoulder and upper arm, specifically excluding the wrist and hand.Second-degree burns, also known as partial-thickness burns, involve damage to the epidermis and dermis, characterized by blistering and pain.Additional codes from categories T31 or T32 may be necessary to specify the extent of the body surface area involved.An additional external cause code (from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity) should be used to identify the source, place, and intent of the burn.
Example 1: A 35-year-old male patient sustains a second-degree burn to his right shoulder and upper arm while working with a welding torch.The burn involves approximately 10% of his total body surface area (TBSA). The burn is treated with wound cleansing, topical antibiotic ointment, and pain medication., A 10-year-old female patient suffers a second-degree scald burn to her left shoulder and upper arm after accidentally spilling hot coffee.The burn is superficial and involves less than 5% TBSA. Treatment consists of cool compresses, topical cream, and pain relief., An elderly patient in a nursing home experiences a second-degree burn on their upper arm from contact with a hot water bottle. The patient has decreased sensation and the burn extends from their shoulder to their elbow. The patient requires more intensive care including specialized wound management and pain control.
Detailed description of the burn, including location (shoulder and upper arm, specifying right or left), size (in centimeters or percentage of TBSA), depth (second-degree), and characteristics (blisters, erythema).Mechanism of injury, including the source of the burn (e.g., hot object, flame, chemical) and circumstances surrounding the event.Photographs or imaging of the burn.Documentation of pain assessment and management.Treatment plan, including wound care procedures (e.g., debridement, dressings, topical medication) and any pain medication administered.Follow-up care plan and any complications encountered.
** This code is for second-degree burns.First-degree burns are typically treated as outpatient and do not usually require coding.Third and fourth-degree burns require significantly more extensive treatment and usually result in multiple coding.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to this diagnostic code.
- Specialties:Burns, Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery
- Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Office, Urgent Care Facility