ICDkódok

ICD stands for International Classification of Diseases. It is a medical classification list maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO). ICD codes are used to categorize and code diseases, signs and symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances, and external causes of injury or disease. The primary use of ICD codes is for epidemiological and health management purposes, including the analysis of the general health situation of a population, monitoring the incidence and prevalence of diseases and other health problems, and observing trends in these issues over time.

The ICD system has been revised periodically, with the current version being ICD-11, which came into effect on January 1, 2022. Previous versions, such as ICD-10, are still widely used in many countries. ICD codes are essential for many aspects of healthcare. They are used for billing and reimbursement, as well as for statistical reporting by healthcare providers, national health agencies, and international organizations. Doctors use these codes to document diagnoses, which then allows for standardized data collection. This data is crucial for public health research, resource allocation, and the development of health policies.

The coding system is hierarchical, meaning that codes are organized into chapters, blocks, categories, and subcategories, allowing for increasing levels of specificity. For example, a code might initially represent a broad category of disease, and further digits can specify the exact condition, its location, or severity. The implementation and use of ICD codes ensure consistency in medical record-keeping and facilitate international comparisons of health data.