Burn of third degree of unspecified shoulder, init encntr

This code signifies a full-thickness burn affecting the skin and underlying tissues of an unspecified shoulder. A third-degree burn involves destruction of the epidermis and dermis, often extending into subcutaneous fat, muscle, or bone, resulting in a white, leathery, or charred appearance with absent sensation.

Apply this code when documentation confirms a third-degree burn to the shoulder, and the specific side (left or right) is not documented. This code is appropriate for the initial treatment of such an injury, indicating the patient is receiving active treatment for the burn.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "third-degree" and identifies the injury site as the "shoulder."
• Only use this code when the laterality (left or right shoulder) is not specified in the medical record.
• The "A" suffix indicates an initial encounter for active treatment; use subsequent encounter codes for follow-up care.