What W67 covers · when clinicians use it
ICD-10 code W67 identifies Accidental drowning and submersion while in swimming-pool in the U.S. ICD-10-CM clinical and billing record set. It sits within the External Causes of Morbidity chapter (V00–Y99), the section that groups related diagnoses so providers, payers, and public-health agencies report them consistently. Clinicians and medical coders apply W67 when an encounter's findings match the Accidental drowning and submersion while in swimming-pool description, attaching it to the patient record so downstream insurance claims, payer audits, quality reporting, and epidemiological surveillance all reference the same standardized diagnosis. The ICD-10-CM is maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, with an updated official code set released each U.S. fiscal year — always verify W67 against the current CMS/CDC release and your payer's documentation guidance before final use. This page summarizes documentation context for W67 and is a coding reference, not clinical, diagnostic, or billing advice.
Accidental drowning and submersion while in swimming-pool (W67) classifies cases of accidental drowning and submersion occurring outside of transport-related incidents. Drownings can happen in bathtubs, pools, natural bodies of water, or unspecified locations, and require urgent medical intervention and thorough documentation for healthcare and legal purposes.
Symptoms
- Difficulty breathing or respiratory distress after submersion
- Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
- Coughing up water or foam from the mouth
- Hypothermia from prolonged water exposure
- Chest pain or abnormal lung sounds (pulmonary edema)
- Neurological symptoms like confusion or weakness
- Secondary infections such as pneumonia post-drowning
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of drowning incidents focuses on airway management, oxygenation assessment, and evaluation for respiratory compromise. Chest X-rays, arterial blood gas tests, and neurological assessments help determine the extent of injury. Rapid diagnosis and intervention significantly improve survival outcomes in near-drowning cases.
ICD10 Code Usage
The ICD10 code W67 is used for documenting accidental drownings in hospital emergency records, public health data systems, forensic reports, and insurance claims. Accurate coding provides crucial insights for water safety programs, guides preventative initiatives, and supports legal and financial proceedings.
Related Codes
- W65 – Accidental drowning and submersion while in bath-tub
- W69 – Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water
- W73 – Other specified cause of accidental non-transport drowning and submersion
- W74 – Unspecified cause of accidental drowning and submersion
FAQs
Q1: What does ICD10 code W67 classify?
A: It classifies accidental drowning and submersion events outside of transport incidents, occurring in locations like bathtubs, swimming pools, or natural bodies of water.
Q2: How critical is immediate rescue in drowning cases?
A: Extremely critical—early rescue and resuscitation efforts are often the deciding factors between survival and fatality.
Q3: Can secondary drowning occur?
A: Yes, symptoms like breathing difficulties can develop hours after the initial submersion, requiring medical monitoring.
Q4: How are drowning incidents coded if the location is unknown?
A: W74 is used for unspecified causes of accidental drowning when the location cannot be determined.
Q5: Why is detailed documentation important?
A: It ensures proper treatment, supports public health prevention strategies, and facilitates insurance and legal case handling.
Conclusion
Proper use of ICD10 code W67 for Accidental drowning and submersion while in swimming-pool is crucial to ensuring effective clinical care, improving water safety efforts, and providing accurate legal and insurance documentation for drowning incidents occurring in non-transport settings.