Author: Dr Azuka Ezeike MBBS, FWACS, FMCOG, MSc(PH)
The International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) is a global tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for diagnosing and treating diseases. it serves as the international standard for the systematic recording, reporting, analysis, interpretation, and comparison of mortality (death) and morbidity (disease) data.
A brief history of the ICD
- First edition: released in 1900 with only 179 categories.
- The latest edition (ICD-11): was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2019, with 17,000 categories.
- Revisions: driven by emerging scientific evidence to maintain relevance and accuracy.
Why is the ICD important?
The ICD improves health outcomes by enhancing:
- Patient outcomes: by providing accurate diagnoses and treatment pathways.
- Patient safety and quality analysis: through standardized data collection.
- Population health reporting: enabling a better understanding of public health trends.
- Integrated care: facilitating coordinated healthcare services.
- Strategic planning and resource allocation: assisting policymakers in decision-making.
- Healthcare service delivery: ensuring that resources meet health needs effectively.
Who benefits from the ICD?
The ICD is a valuable tool for:
- Healthcare practitioners: for clinical decision-making.
- Policymakers: to shape effective health policies.
- Insurance companies: for claims processing and health coverage decisions.
What's new in ICD-11?
The 11th revision of the ICD offers significant improvements over previous versions:
- Hybrid nature: accessible both online and offline, aligning with the digital revolution.
- enhanced coding: easier and more accurate coding to support use by low-cadre workers in primary healthcare settings.
- Multilingual support: now available in 14 languages, promoting global accessibility.
- User engagement: a proposal platform allows users to suggest improvements.
- New chapters:
- Diseases of the immune system
- Sleep-wake disorders
- Conditions related to sexual health
- Traditional medicine: the new section 26 focuses on traditional medicine diagnosis.
Why should countries adopt ICD-11?
The WHO encourages all member states to adopt ICD-11 because it:
- Provides a standardized classification system based on current scientific and medical knowledge.
- Facilitates global comparisons of health trends.
- Supports evidence-based policy development.
- Enhances the ability to measure the impact of health programs effectively.
Conclusion
The adoption of ICD-11 represents a significant step forward in improving global health outcomes. it not only enhances clinical practices but also strengthens health policies and systems worldwide.
Has ICD-11 been implemented in your country?
Source: https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/classification-of-diseases