Poisoning by local anesthetics, assault, initial encounter

This code signifies an initial encounter for a patient who has been intentionally poisoned by a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine or bupivacaine, with the intent to harm. The poisoning is a result of an assault, meaning it was inflicted by another person. This could involve administration via injection, ingestion, or other routes.

Apply this code when documenting the initial treatment for a patient presenting with symptoms of local anesthetic toxicity (e.g., CNS effects, cardiovascular compromise) where the history clearly indicates the substance was administered by another individual with malicious intent. This code is appropriate for the acute phase of care, such as emergency department visits or initial hospital admissions.

• Always assign an additional code for the specific local anesthetic involved, if known.
• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "assault" and that it is the "initial encounter" for this specific poisoning event.
• Do not use this code for accidental poisonings, self-harm, or adverse effects of properly administered therapeutic doses.