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ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

You Be the Coder ~ Coding for Burns in the ED

Published on Sun Jul 15, 2007

Question: What constitutes a first-, second- or third-degree burn? I am having trouble figuring out the differences. Also, can I report burn codes for patients who have steam burns?

Michigan Subscriber Answer: Yes, you can report burn codes when the injury's cause is dry heat (fire) or wet heat (steam, liquid). Further, patients in the ED might have burns from radiation, friction, heated objects, the sun, electricity or chemicals.

As for burns- three severity levels, use the following explanation as a guide:

- First-degree burns affect only the skin's outer layer. They cause pain, redness and swelling.

- Second-degree (partial thickness) burns affect both the outer and underlying layers of skin. They cause pain, redness, swelling and blistering.

- Third-degree (full thickness) burns extend into deeper tissues. These burns cause white or blackened, charred skin that may be numb.
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