Disease Classification Structures

Health care information systems cover a wide range of issues dealing with the supervision and use of biomedical information. Health information systems are central support tools in the administration of health care services. An acceptable health information system is important not only for evaluating the health needs of populations but also for preparation and for application of health interventions. It is equally imperative in the assessment of programs. The goal of information systems is to create an appropriate working environment. This is done by providing initial and going training, allocating resources, and by managing unintended consequences (Wager, Lee & Glaser, 2009).
This summary will examine disease classification information structures necessary for reimbursement and epidemiological data collection. Discussions will describe disease classification, analyze reasons why it was selected, and explain how it is applicable to work, review the benefits of the systems and also discuss the negative draw backs of the system. To begin discussions will focus on defining disease classification structures.
Disease Classification Structures
Disease classification structures are essential to health care. The International Classification of Disease Ninth Revision (ICD-9) is a classification system developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to categorize diseases. ICD-9 collects data on disease and in the United States the ICD-9 is used to categorize procedures as well. The ICD-9 is also used to analyze mortality and morbidity rates worldwide. According to Kurbasic et al, “the basic concept of ICD is founded on the standardization of the nomenclature for the names of diseases and their basic systematization in the hierarchically structured category” (Kurbasic et al, p. 160, 2008). The ICD is used as the standard diagnostic classification and for many health management purposes and clinical uses. Some examples of ICD use include; the analysis the general health condition of a population, to monitor the prevalence of diseases, and for reimbursement purposes (WHO, 2011).
The reason for the selection
Classification systems affect each type of organization in healthcare, from insurance companies (payors), to physician office, to hospitals, and other healthcare service providers. It is a means of communication about disease, and it is important to understand this classification system because an individual in healthcare will come across and need to understand the meaning of the classification and its reason of importance. Disease classification structure is also important to monitor the diseases and prevent the spread of infection. Epidemiology will provide a study of different populations to understand the disease and prevent the spread of disease and decrease the mortality rates.
How this structure is applicable to your work area
Has anyone ever seen a number written on the bottom of their prescription, or a bill with numbers under a category for diagnosis? In healthcare, there are many types of diagnosis but the classification of disease system such as ICD-9 or 10, help bring comparability into each diagnosis for billing, presentation of mortality, and processing. The classification of diseases helps bring structure in anyone’s workplace, for example in a hospital, there is always a census done in the end of the year for mortality. The classification of diseases helps develop this census into more similar and understandable categories. This classification will also help the hospital have a comparable language to translate the patient’s diagnosis so they may receive proper reimbursement for the diagnosis which was treated.
The benefits of your selection
The ICD is the international standard diagnostic classification for all general epidemiological, many health management purposes and clinical use (WHO, 2011). The ICD has many benefits which includes monitoring the health situations of different groups of people. The ICD also monitors diseases and investigates different aspects that contribute to a disease or death. Death certificates are also pulled to determine the cause of death and monitor diseases that could change and affect more populations. The data is pulled to analyze epidemiology and provide control of diseases across the world.
Any negative aspects of your selection
Every system in healthcare has its positive and negative traits. Though there are few disadvantages to the classification of diseases, understanding them is of importance. New diseases are being found yearly to even monthly, and every several years the classification of diseases needs to be updated, which can cause changes to the past and current classification. Once the system has been changed, and it is important that there is proper communication of the change so this classification of system remains understandable and useful. Categories for past census may be different from past categories, so these changes will also make it hard to compare past and current census.
Conclusion
Disease classification information structures are very important for the health care community. The ICD is used to monitor health care disease and categorize the disease in a format that is universal to all health care organizations. The ICD has provided a system to assist in the reimbursement process for health care organizations. The ICD is also important to monitor diseases and prevent the spread of infection. The ICD information structure has provided a standard that is understood by all health care organizations.

Reference
Kurbasic, I., Pandza, H., Masic, I., Huseinagic, S., Tandir, S., Alicajic, F., & Toromanovic, S. (2008). The Advantages and Limitations of International Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of Death from Aspect of Existing Health Care System of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Acta Informatica Medica, 16(3), 159-161. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Wager, K.A., Lee, F.W., & Glaser, J.P. (2009). Health care information systems: A practical approach for health care management (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
WHO (2011). International Classification of Disease. Retrieved August 27, 2011 from http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/