Toxic effect of strychnine and its salts, assault, sequela

This code signifies the long-term or residual health problems resulting from a deliberate poisoning with strychnine or its derivatives. These sequelae can manifest as chronic neurological issues, persistent muscle spasms, or other lasting organ damage that developed after the initial acute toxic event.

Apply this code when documenting conditions that are a direct consequence of a past strychnine poisoning, where the poisoning was determined to be an assault. This would be used for follow-up care of a patient who survived such an event and is now experiencing chronic complications attributable to the toxicity.

• Always use this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the specific sequela being treated.
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to a past strychnine poisoning that was an assault.
• Verify the "S" seventh character is appropriate for sequela, indicating a late effect.