Q: A motorcyclist crashes and sustains 15 % partial and full thickness “œroad rash” in addition to multiple lower extremity fractures. Following operative treatment of his fractures he is transferred to the Burn Unit for management of his skin injuries. How should the skin injuries be coded?

A: Although the skin injuries are being described in terms usually used for burns, the correct codes to use are the abrasion codes. If you know the precise location of the abrasions, we recommend using the Whole Area abrasion codes in each chapter. The code 9xxxxx.1 for multiple abrasions found in the External and Other Trauma chapter is also appropriate.