In simple words: This code is used when someone is hurt on purpose by another person using steam, very hot air, or hot things as a weapon.

This ICD-10-CM code classifies injuries resulting from an assault involving steam, hot vapors, or hot objects.It is used to indicate the external cause of the injury, not the nature of the injury itself.A code from Chapter 19 (Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)) should be used to describe the injury sustained.The seventh character (A, D, or S) should be added to specify the encounter (initial, subsequent, or sequela).

Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency department with burns to their face and chest after being attacked with a steam iron. , A construction worker is assaulted by a coworker who throws boiling water at him, resulting in second-degree burns to his arms and upper body., A domestic violence victim sustains scalding injuries to her hands and legs after her attacker throws a pot of boiling water at her.

Detailed description of the assault, including the weapon used (steam, hot vapor, hot object) and the mechanism of injury.Complete documentation of the patient's injuries, including location, extent, and severity.Photographs or other visual documentation of the injuries may be beneficial.Any other pertinent information relevant to the incident, such as witness statements or police reports.

** This code is always secondary to a code indicating the specific injury sustained.Appropriate use of this code requires careful documentation of the circumstances surrounding the assault.