[Medical coding and classification systems].

Abstract

Medical coding and classification systems are expected to become increasingly important in the health care sector. Together with and as an integrated part of the electronic health information systems, the coding and classification systems will be used to improve the quality and effectiveness of the medical services. Activities connected to the different coding and classification systems are a very important component of the attempts at standardization taking place both in Norway and in the rest of Europe within the discipline medical informatics. These activities must be secured a proper professional and economic foundation. It is also of vital importance that national health authorities should participate in these activities and establish formal cooperation with professional bodies. In Norway, the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs has accepted with some miner modifications, our suggestion for a model where the Norwegian Medical Association would be responsible for the medical aspects of the coding and classification systems and for their development, and the Norwegian Centre for Medical Informatic's for organization, distribution, electronic version, integration in information systems and user assistance.