Systems and data: storing clusters without losing meaning

A cluster is one fact

A cluster is one fact. Storing its parts separately can lose what they meant together.

Group in transmission and evaluation

WHO says the codes in a cluster have to be grouped together in data transmission and evaluation, so the information they convey together is not lost. Storing each code as an independent diagnosis loses the link between them.

• The rule · Together · Codes in a cluster have to be grouped together in data transmission and evaluation, so the information they convey jointly is not lost.
• The risk · Split · Treating each code as an independent diagnosis loses the link between them.

Your software has to change

WHO lists the changes. Adapt to the new code structure. Use the coding API, online or offline, which replaces the index. And ideally add features for clustering.

• Code structure · New · Adapt to the new code structure of ICD-11.
• Index · API · Use the coding API, online or offline: it replaces the index.
• Clusters · Features · Ideally add features for clustering.

Store the URI too

WHO suggests keeping the URI of the terms in electronic records, which makes the record independent of versioning and keeps the clinical detail at the source. Diagnosis timing flags may be kept outside the ICD system and combined for reporting.

• URI · Independent · Retain the URI of the terms in electronic records, to be independent of versioning and keep clinical detail at the source.
• Flags · May stay outside · Diagnosis timing flags may be kept outside ICD and combined for reporting.

Map to ICD-11

ICD-11 can be used as it is in electronic health records. Where a system records diagnoses using a third-party terminology, it can map or link those codes directly to ICD-11 for statistical outputs.

• As is · No other tools · ICD-11 can be used as it is with electronic health records.
• Third party · Map or link · A system using a third-party terminology can map or link those codes to ICD-11 for statistical outputs.

Check yourself

Pause and think. What does WHO suggest keeping in electronic records to make them independent of versioning? The answer: The URI of the terms. WHO suggests keeping the URI of the terms in electronic records, which makes the record independent of versioning and keeps the clinical detail at the source.

• The URI of the terms
• Only the code string
• Only the display title
• A printed copy of the version

Keep these in mind

A cluster is one unit of meaning. Use the coding API, which replaces the index. Store the URI as well as the code. And map third-party terminologies to ICD-11.

• A cluster is one unit of meaning
• Use the coding API; it replaces the index
• Store the URI as well as the code
• Map third-party terminologies to ICD-11