Codificación en Neurología Pediátrica (CIE-9) - Revista de Neurología

Introduction
Coding in Neuropediatrics based on the ICD-9, 5th ed. (2006)
Conclusion. The creation of this ICD-9 adaptation will not only enhance diagnostic
coding in child neurology departments, but will also provide them with a useful
tool for setting up databases to enable information to be retrospectively analyzed
and shared by the different health centers.
Introduction
Coding arises in response to the need for a standardized language that will allow
for the most unequivocal communication possible among health professionals.
It facilitates the handling and management of clinical information and the
setting-up of databases, which will in turn enable such information to be studied,
interpreted and shared. Furthermore, health-care quality policy renders it essential
for diagnoses and procedures to be computerized so as to simplify decision-making
by health administrators (diagnostic related groups and costs per procedure).
At the 7th Congress of the Spanish Child Neurology Society –Sociedad Española de
Neurología Pediátrica (SENP) 2006–, the Board of Governors consented to a working
group (WG) being set up to code child neurology on the basis of the ICD-9, following
a proposal to this effect tabled by the Child Neurology Department of the Alcorcón
Foundation Hospital and a communication on the topic delivered at the 2nd Iberian
Neuropediatrics Meeting –Reunión Ibérica de Neuropediatría (2005)–.
The WG members were child neurologists drawn from 9 hospitals in Madrid,
namely, the Alcorcón Foundation, Gregorio Marañón, La Paz, 12 de Octubre,
Clinical, Jiménez Diaz Foundation, Leganés, Getafe and Fuenlabrada Hospitals,
plus the Virgen de la Salud Hospital in Toledo.
The ICD-9, the Spanish version of the International Classification of Diseases,
9th Revision, Clinical Modification (5th ed.) (ICD-9-CM), is the internationally
used coding system accepted by the international scientific community and
health authorities. Insofar as child neurology is concerned, this classification has
limitations because:
• A great number of currently used biochemical and genetic-based child
neurology diagnoses are not envisaged by the ICD.
• The ICD relies on archaic nomenclature and inaccurate translations.
• The ICD makes no provision for recent diagnostic classifications of child
neurological disorders.
As a consequence, it was judged both useful and important for the child-neurologist
fraternity to identify ICD-9 codes that corresponded to diagnoses and procedures
currently in use, and ensure that these could be duly assigned. This paper outlines
the systematic approach followed by the WG, as well as the codes selected for
allocation to the respective diagnostic descriptions or procedures.
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