2025 ICD-10-CM code W22.1
(Active) Effective Date: N/A External causes of morbidity - Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces (W20-W49) 20 Feed
Striking against or struck by automobile airbag.
The 7th character of W22.1 should match the 7th character of the associated injury code, reflecting initial encounter (A), subsequent encounter (D), or sequela (S).
Medical necessity for the treatment related to W22.1 is established by the nature of the injuries sustained from the airbag deployment.The documentation should clearly link the injuries to the airbag deployment. Any treatment provided should be directly related to those injuries and documented accordingly.
Clinicians should use this code as a secondary code to describe the cause of the injury.It is crucial to also code the primary injury itself using the appropriate code from Chapter 19 (Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)).
In simple words: This code indicates an injury caused by contact with a deployed car airbag.
Striking against or struck by automobile airbag. This code describes an accidental injury where the patient came into contact with a deployed automobile airbag.
Example 1: A patient presents to the ER with facial burns and contusions after their airbag deployed during a motor vehicle accident. The airbag deployment caused the burns and contusions, while the accident itself resulted in other injuries. W22.1 would be used as a secondary code to specify the cause of the facial injuries., A patient is brought to the hospital after a car accident. During the collision, the airbag deployed, striking the patient's chest and causing bruising and rib fractures.The primary diagnosis would be the rib fractures, with W22.1 used as a secondary code to indicate the airbag as the cause of the injury., A child, improperly restrained in the front seat, sustains minor abrasions to the face and arms due to airbag deployment during a low-speed collision.The abrasions are the primary diagnosis, and W22.1 is used as a secondary code to record the cause.
Documentation should clearly state that the injuries were sustained due to contact with a deployed airbag. Details about the circumstances of the accident should also be documented, including the location, speed, and other vehicles involved, to help paint a complete picture. Specific injuries resulting from airbag deployment should be clearly noted, including the type, location, and severity. This comprehensive documentation provides a clearer context for applying this code.
** This code specifically relates to injuries caused by striking against or being struck by an automobile airbag. It excludes injuries from striking against or being struck by an object and subsequently falling (W18.09).
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Trauma Surgery, General Surgery
- Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Office