Cow bites and spacecraft injuries enliven new medical diagnostic codes

man with books

A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN  Injuries at the library now have their very own diagnostic code in the latest revision of International Classification of Diseases used by physicians around the globe. 

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The latest diagnostic coding system for physicians, the International Classification of Diseases – 10th revision, took effect in October. With it came some curious new codes compiled in Medical Economics magazine. Here is a selection of some hard-to-explain mishaps. 

V91.35: Hit or struck by falling object due to accident to canoe or kayak

 

V96.00: Unspecified [hot air] balloon accident injuring occupant

 

Y92.241: Hurt at the library

 

V95.40: Unspecified spacecraft accident injuring occupant

 

V97.33: Sucked into jet engine

 

W55.21: Bitten by a cow

 

W56.22XA: Struck by orca, initial encounter

 

V91.07: Burn due to water skis on fire

Credit: All animations by James Provost

Bruce Bower has written about the behavioral sciences for Science News since 1984. He writes about psychology, anthropology, archaeology and mental health issues.