Medical classification

Medical classification, also known as healthcare classification, is a system of coding and organizing medical information for the purposes of patient care and research. Medical classifications are used in a variety of applications, including billing, epidemiology, and decision support.

Overview

Medical classifications are used to group diseases, procedures, diagnosis, symptoms and other patient data. This allows for easier storage, retrieval and analysis of health information. Medical classifications are used in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, health insurance companies, and research institutions.

Types of Medical Classifications

There are several types of medical classifications, each with its own purpose and use. Some of the most common types include:

• International Classification of Diseases (ICD): This is a medical classification maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is used worldwide for morbidity and mortality statistics, reimbursement systems, and automated decision support in health care.

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM): This is a classification used in the field of psychiatry. It is maintained by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and is used for the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

• Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED): This is a comprehensive, multilingual clinical healthcare terminology. It is designed to capture information across the healthcare continuum.

• Current Procedural Terminology (CPT): This is a medical code set that is used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures and services to entities such as physicians, health insurance companies and accreditation organizations.

See Also

• Health informatics
• Medical coding
• Medical record
• Health information management

References

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