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International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD‐10)

Binuthi Nilakna Ariyaratne edited this page Jan 27, 2025 · 3 revisions

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) is a comprehensive system developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for classifying and coding diseases, health conditions, and causes of death. It serves as a global standard for mortality and morbidity data, facilitating consistent reporting and analysis across different countries and healthcare systems[1][2][3].

Structure and Components

ICD-10 Structure:

  • Volumes: ICD-10 is organized into three volumes. Volume 1 contains the list of cause-of-death titles and codes, along with inclusion and exclusion terms. Volume 2 provides descriptions, guidelines, and coding rules, while Volume 3 includes an alphabetical index[1].
  • Coding System: The ICD-10 uses alphanumeric codes ranging from three to seven characters. This allows for greater specificity and detail compared to its predecessor, ICD-9, which used only numeric codes[3][4].

ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS:

  • ICD-10-CM (Clinical Modification): Used primarily in the United States for medical claim reporting in all healthcare settings. It includes diagnosis codes that represent conditions, diseases, symptoms, and external causes of injuries and diseases[2][5].
  • ICD-10-PCS (Procedure Coding System): Utilized in hospital settings to report inpatient procedures. It provides a standardized level of specificity with unique codes for each procedure, accommodating emerging medical technologies[2].

Key Features

  • Increased Specificity: ICD-10 offers more detailed coding options than ICD-9, allowing for better capture of clinical data. For example, it can specify the side of the body affected by a condition (laterality)[3][4].
  • Comprehensive Coverage: The system includes nearly twice as many categories as ICD-9, covering a wide range of health conditions and procedures[1][3].
  • Modern Terminology: The terminology used in ICD-10 is more modern and consistent, supporting improved clinical communication and care management[4].

Implementation and Use

  • Global Adoption: Many countries have adopted ICD-10 or its variations to align with their healthcare systems. The United States implemented ICD-10 for mortality coding in 1999 and for morbidity coding in 2015[3].
  • Healthcare Reimbursement: In the U.S., ICD-10-CM codes are essential for healthcare providers to receive reimbursement for medical services. These codes justify the medical necessity of the services provided[2].

Benefits

  • Improved Data Quality: By providing more detailed and specific codes, ICD-10 enhances the quality of health data collected globally.
  • Enhanced Analytics: The increased specificity allows for better analysis of health trends, outcomes, and resource allocation.
  • Standardization: Facilitates consistent reporting across different healthcare systems, aiding in international comparisons and collaborations.

Overall, ICD-10 is a critical tool in healthcare for standardizing disease classification and improving data collection, analysis, and communication worldwide.

Citations:

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd-10/index.html

[2] https://www.aapc.com/resources/what-is-icd-10

[3] https://www.techtarget.com/searchhealthit/definition/ICD-10

[4] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/johns-hopkins-health-plans/providers-physicians/icd-10

[5] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd-10-cm/index.html

[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICD-10

[7] https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/classification-of-diseases

[8] https://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/outreach/npc/downloads/slides-from-the-011414-icd10-basics-video.pdf

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