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WHO-FIC IFHRO Collaboration The World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centres for the Family of International Classifications (FIC) are an international network of expert centres in health classifications, coding and terminology development. The principal role of the WHO-FIC network is to promote the implementation and use of the Family of International Classifications, with focus on two WHO reference classifications, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), in health information systems. The WHO-FIC Education Committee and the IFHRO have established the Joint Collaboration to develop an international training and certification program to improve coding practice. The overall goals of this program are to improve the quality of mortality and morbidity data and the competence of ICD coders and thus their status. Through the work of the Joint Collaboration, health data at the national and international levels will be improved and the value of coded data and the professional coder will be more broadly recognized. To learn more about the WHO-FIC IFHRO Joint Collaboration click here. Important Information from WHO-FIC IFHRO Joint Collaboration! The WHO-FIC IFHRO Joint Collaboration continues to move forward with training and certification for ICD-10 coders. For the most recent developments Click here for a letter explaining the reasons for the development of the International Training and Certification Program Click here for a letter that explains the need for quality coded data. This is also a request for help to promote the International Training and Certification Program for ICD-10 Morbidity and Mortality Coders. Two tools are provided to assist with the promotion Click here for a brochure to use in promoting the training and certification program. The brochure describes the purpose, goals, and objectives of the program. Click here for a letter of interest form to be used for individuals who are interested in becoming an ICD-10 coder or trainer. Call for Training Materials July 2007 Core Curriculum - Underlying cause of death coders including Learning objectives Core Curriculum for Morbidity Coders Core Curriculum for Morbidity Coders - Training Module Form Core Curriculum for Mortality (Underlying Cause of Death) Coders
WHO-FIC/IFRHO Joint Collaboration Reaches Milestone in SeoulThe Joint Collaboration between IFHRO and the Education Committee of the World Health Organization Family of International Classifications Network reached a milestone in late May, during the 15th Congress meeting of IFHRO in Seoul, Korea. The JC has been working for the past three years to standardize coder training and to award certificates to those individuals who have completed ICD training that meets standard core knowledge clusters. The JC first developed core curricula, which are recommended as the basis for educational programs in morbidity and mortality coding using ICD-10. The JC then subsequently developed assessments for coding training materials, based on the core curricula, and also developed a process to evaluate coding educators/trainers. The first process developed was an assessment of currently practicing mortality coders, which involved completing a self-assessment and successfully completing a coding examination. A score of 80% or better was required on the 50 case exam. 12 coders were recognized in Seoul as having successfully completed the coding examination. 10 were from Korea and 2 from Canada. They were presented certificates at the closing session of the conference. The 10 from Korea were present, and the two from Canada were recognized on the screen in a picture that had been forwarded. Of the 10 Koreans, 4 were also awarded Trainer Certificates, indicating they had successfully completed a second, more challenging exam. They were recognized then as possessing the necessary skills and abilities to serve as trainers in ICD-10 coding. The project has been in a pilot phase up to this point and now will be fine tuned by the JC going forward. The JC will also work on the process for the evaluation of the skills of new coders who are participating in a training course in coding. The new coders will then sit for the exam at the appropriate time. Work is also commencing on the process for morbidity coders. Web based training materials for ICD-10 coding are also in the process of development. There is much work left to do!! Good health outcomes depend on the availability and use of good health information. The work of the JC supports attainment of the vision of the WHO—Health for All. Through improvements in the availability, quality and comparability of coded health information, better decisions relating to the provision of healthcare and allocation of health resources will be facilitated. The project is co chaired by Margaret Skurka of the US representing IFHRO and Sue Walker of Australia, representing the Education Committee of the WHO-FIC Network.
July 2007 News UpdateInternational ICD-10 Training and Certification Program The following is an update on the progress of the WHO-FIC Education Committee – IFHRO Joint Collaboration (JC) goal of improving the quality of mortality and morbidity data and recognizing the competence of ICD coders. Mortality: Underlying Cause of Death Coders For underlying cause of death coders who are already working, an international coding exam has been developed and piloted in Canada and South Korea. The exam is being piloted in several more countries through 2007 before it will be ready for implementation in all countries of the world. In the meantime, coders who wish to sit the examination must first complete and submit a self assessment. Names will be entered into a database for future reference and follow-up once the pilot process has been finalized. It is anticipated either arrangements will need to be made with a supervisor or a hosting organization such as a country’s medical/health record association to manage the examination process. Nominal fees to cover the costs of administering the exam will be required. For individuals interested in becoming underlying cause of death coders, the JC program itself does not include training but instead recognizes training materials and approves trainers. Australia, United States, Canada and Korea have training materials which have been approved for international use and trainers who have also been granted certification as approved coder trainers. Contact the following approved trainers for additional information on training opportunities: Australia: Sue Walker: (s.walker@qut.edu.au) For those not yet in a coding position, in order to be eligible to sit for the exam, it is recommended that individuals undergo training by an approved trainer using recognized training materials. It is also highly recommended that coders have at least 1-2 years of experience working before they sit the exam. Mortality: Underlying Cause of Death Educators/Trainers An examination pilot tested in South Korea will soon be available to underlying cause of death educators/trainers. It is being piloted in several more countries through 2007 before it will be ready for implementation in all countries of the world. In the mean time, educators/trainers who wish to sit the examination must first complete and submit an application. Names will be entered into a database for future reference and follow-up once the process has been finalized. It is anticipated either arrangements will need to be made with a supervisor or a hosting organization such as a country’s medical/health record association to manage the examination process. Nominal fees to cover the costs of administering the exam will be required. The educator/trainer examination can take place at the same time as coders in a particular country sit their examination. Mortality: Multiple Cause Coders and Educators/Trainers Development of an exam for multiple cause coding is slated to occur once the international ICD rules have been standardized. This is not anticipated for a number of years. Morbidity: Coders and Educators/Trainers The JC and WHO FIC Education Committee have begun discussions on the development of a process for assessing morbidity (hospital) coders and trainers. At the moment it is not possible to proceed along the path to develop this process because of the need to wait for the outcome of the work of the WHO Family of International Classifications Network (WHO-FIC) Morbidity Reference Group (MbRG). The MbRG is evaluating what is needed to introduce more comprehensive rules and guidelines for the coding of morbidity data, more specific than the few rules that are currently in the ICD-10 volume 2. More information on a process for assessment will be available in the last quarter of 2007. Mortality and Morbidity Training Materials Curricula for coder training programs which describe the core competencies the JC expects coders to develop and the information expected to be covered in a training course for mortality and morbidity coders is available. Those who teach ICD-10 coding are encouraged to submit their materials for assessment against these curricula so anyone who learns to code receives the same basic instruction. The materials do not need to be in English but if they are in another language, assistance with identifying someone who will be able to make the assessment on the JC’s behalf using our templates for the assessment, may be requested. Feedback will be sent noting if there are important details missing or if the materials meet the international standard for high quality teaching. If the materials meet the standard, the training course will be recommended to people who are interested in learning to code. For more information on the core curricula and the call for submission of materials, see the links below:
Core curriculum for mortality coders
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