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  5. Accidental handgun discharge and malfunction (W32)

Accidental handgun discharge and malfunction (W32)

The ICD-10 code W32 and its subcategories are used to classify injuries related to accidental handgun discharges and malfunctions. These codes cover incidents ranging from the initial accidental firing of a handgun to later follow-up care.

Specifically, the ICD-10 code W32.0XXA is applied for the initial encounter of an accidental handgun discharge, including accidents caused by pistols, revolvers, or flare guns (Verey pistols). This code helps medical coders identify and document unintentional firearm injuries caused by handguns. Subsequent encounters and complications related to these injuries are coded as W32.0XXD and W32.0XXS, respectively. Separate but related codes in the W32.1 series address accidental handgun malfunctions, distinguishing between first visits (W32.1XXA), follow-up care (W32.1XXD), and resulting sequelae (W32.1XXS). Together, these codes support precise reporting for accidental firearm injuries caused by malfunction or discharge, ensuring clarity in medical records and insurance documentation.

Instructional Notations

Includes

This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.

  • accidental discharge and malfunction of gun for single hand use
  • accidental discharge and malfunction of pistol
  • accidental discharge and malfunction of revolver
  • Handgun discharge and malfunction NOS

Type 1 Excludes

A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.

  • accidental airgun discharge and malfunction W34.010 W34.110
  • accidental BB gun discharge and malfunction W34.010 W34.110
  • accidental pellet gun discharge and malfunction W34.010 W34.110
  • accidental shotgun discharge and malfunction W33.01 W33.11
  • assault by handgun discharge X93
  • handgun discharge involving legal intervention Y35.0
  • handgun discharge involving military or war operations Y36.4
  • intentional self-harm by handgun discharge X72
  • Very pistol discharge and malfunction W34.09 W34.19

7th Character Note

Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.

  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category W32

7th Character

Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela