ICD10

ICD-10 Code T71.16: Asphyxiation due to hanging

T71.16 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Asphyxiation due to hanging. You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen. ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents asphyxiation due to hanging in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.

What it does not mean

  • A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
  • A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
  • This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.

Code hierarchy

chapter
19Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
block
T07-T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
block
T66-T78Other and unspecified effects of external causes
category
T71Asphyxiation
category
T71.1Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing
currentT71.1

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms
  • Hanging by window shade cord
Applicable to
  • code for any associated injuries, such as:
  • crushing injury of neck (S17.-)
  • fracture of cervical vertebrae (S12.0-S12.2-)
  • open wound of neck (S11.-)
Use additional code
  • code for any associated injuries, such as:
  • crushing injury of neck (S17.-)
  • fracture of cervical vertebrae (S12.0-S12.2-)
  • open wound of neck (S11.-)

Where you may see this code

You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.

Related specialists

Emergency Medicine SpecialistOrthopedic Specialist

Coding guidelines

Common synonyms

Asphyxiation due to hanging

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeT71.16
SystemICD10
Display nameAsphyxiation due to hanging
ChapterInjury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
BlockOther and unspecified effects of external causes

Flags

BillableNo
Valid clinical useNo

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.

ICD-10 Code T71.16 for Asphyxiation due to hanging | HealthAssure