Find information on documenting a history of motor vehicle accident (MVA) for healthcare professionals. This guide covers clinical documentation best practices, accurate medical coding for MVAs (ICD-10 codes), and important details for a complete patient history including accident details, injuries sustained, and subsequent treatment. Learn how to properly document the mechanism of injury, delta-v, and other relevant factors for accurate diagnosis and billing. Resources for physicians, nurses, and medical coders seeking information on motor vehicle accident documentation and coding.
Also known as
Persons with potential health hazards
Relates to accidents and other transport incidents.
Personal history of injury
Indicates past injury due to unspecified cause.
Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
Covers injuries from various external causes, not just history.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Current injuries from MVA?
Yes
Code current injuries. Do NOT code history of MVA (Z87.8XX).
No
Any late effects from MVA?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Motor Vehicle Accident |
Whiplash Injury |
Concussion due to MVA |
Patient presents with a history of motor vehicle accident (MVA). Date of accident: [Date of Accident]. Location of accident: [Location of Accident]. Patient was the [Driver, Passenger, Pedestrian, Other - Specify]. Patient reports [Wearing, Not Wearing] a seatbelt at the time of the collision. Point of impact was [Specify Point of Impact, e.g., driver's side, rear, frontal]. Emergency medical services [EMS] were [Called, Not Called]. Patient was transported to [Hospital Name] via [EMS, Private Vehicle, Other]. Initial injuries reported at the scene included [List Initial Injuries]. Current complaints include [List Current Complaints, e.g., neck pain, back pain, headache, whiplash]. Symptoms onset [Immediately, Delayed]. Pain characteristics described as [Describe Pain, e.g., sharp, dull, aching, radiating, throbbing]. Pain level [Numeric Pain Scale 0-10]. Associated symptoms include [List Associated Symptoms, e.g., numbness, tingling, dizziness, nausea, vomiting]. Past medical history significant for [List Relevant PMH]. Surgical history includes [List Relevant Surgical History]. Medications include [List Current Medications]. Allergies include [List Allergies]. Physical examination reveals [Detailed Physical Exam Findings Related to MVA]. Neurological examination [Normal, Abnormal - Specify]. Range of motion [Limited, Full - Specify affected area and degree of limitation]. Palpation reveals [Tenderness, Swelling, Crepitus - Specify Location]. Diagnostic studies ordered include [X-ray, CT scan, MRI - Specify body part]. Assessment: History of motor vehicle accident with [Diagnosis Based on Examination and Diagnostics, e.g., cervical strain, lumbar sprain, concussion, whiplash injury]. ICD-10 code: [Appropriate ICD-10 Code]. Plan: [Treatment Plan including medications, physical therapy, referrals, follow-up care, patient education on injury management and recovery]. Return to work status: [Specify Work Status and Restrictions].