Medical Classification is Medical Coding
What is medical classification and what is medical coding? Well, both the terms refer to the process of transforming details of medical diagnostic processes and diagnosis into medical code numbers that are universal. The four basic categories of coding are diagnostic codes, procedural codes, pharmaceutical codes, and topographical codes. The diagnostic codes are used to group and identify diseases, disorders, symptoms, and medical signs, and the procedure codes are numbers or alphanumeric codes used to identify specific health interventions that are taken by medical professionals. While the pharmaceutical codes are about medications the topographical codes indicate the concerned body part.
From where are all these details about the patient’s disease and his medical history taken? Some of the sources include,
Doctor’s notes Biochemistry Lab reports Radiology reports
What is the use of these medical codes? They are used to track diseases and quite useful for health insurance companies, government hospitals, worker’s compensation carriers etc. These medical coding/ classification system applications are mainly used for reimbursements of the medical bills from insurance companies. It is also used for statistical analysis, in epidemic surveillance and for knowledge based decision support.
Here are the different types of medical classifications;
Reference Classifications International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health International Classification of Health Interventions International Classification of Primary Care International Classification of External Causes of Injury Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System Technical aids for persons with disabilities: Classification and terminology International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition ICD-10 for Mental and Behavioral Disorder Application of the International Classification of Diseases to Dentistry and Stomatology Application of the International Classification of Diseases to Neurology International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth Procedure Coding System Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours Unified Medical Language System Mendelian inheritance in Man Current Procedural Terminology Health Care Procedure Coding System North American Nursing Diagnosis Associates Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes International Classification of Headache Disorders 2nd Edition
Medical Robots
Medical robots are one of the most helpful applications of robots. They are used in various medical practices, including difficult and precise surgical procedures. They are also used to assist patients in recovery and in the performance of routine tasks for patient care.
Medical robots have computer-integrated technology and are comprised of complicated programming languages, controllers, and advanced sensors. They also possess powerful control units, a programming terminal, and process-oriented software for various medical applications.
Medical robots are used for training surgeons and providing in-depth knowledge to students. These robots provide standardized operation, which reduces the time required to perform any medical operation. They provide positional certainty and confined movement, which can lead to improved post-operative outcomes. The major potential advantages of medical robots are precision and miniaturization in medical operations. Further advantages are articulation beyond normal manipulation and three-dimensional magnification.
Doctors can view the patient, ask questions, read patient records, view X-rays, and test results using these robots. Although the robot does not physically examine the patient it, allows face-to-face contact between the doctor and patient with the help of a screen attached to it. They are also used inward rounds when doctors are away from patients, which allow patients to establish direct contact with doctors.
Research is going on in the field of medical robotics that will create new robotic technologies and benefit the healthcare industry. The use of WiFi technology in the medical robots allows a medical expert to visually examine and communicate with a patient from anywhere in the world.
There are many doctors, who are using medical robotic technologies in their regular clinical practice. Doctors believe that it is a revolutionary concept, which opens new avenues for telemedicine research and integrates technology with healthcare while establishing necessary interface between patients, clinicians, and teaching staff.