Health informatics and the importance of coding

Abstract: Health informatics can be defined as ‘The knowledge, skills and tools which enable information to be collected, managed, used and shared, to support the delivery of healthcare and to promote health.’ The use of computers in informatics requires standardized codes to identify synonymous medical terms. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision, (ICD-10) is used internationally to code morbidity and mortality; the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys Classification of Surgical Operations and Procedures, 4th revision, (OPCS-4) is used in the UK to code operations and procedures; Read codes and Clinical Terms Version 3 (CTV3) are used in primary care systems. Systemized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terminology (SNOMED CT) incorporates all these coding systems. ICD-10 and OPCS-4 are fundamental to Payment by Results, the method by which healthcare providers in the NHS in England are paid.

Source: Anaesthesia and intensive care medicine - January 27, 2014 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Anthony Madden Tags: Informatics Source Type: research