title: The coding masterpiece: a framework for the formal processes and pathways of health classification.
abstract: This article empirically defines the formal pathways and processes that enable and frame hospital clinical classification in an activity-based funding environment. These structured actions include: learning and training; abstracting; clinical knowledge locating and confirming; coder-doctor communication; coder-coder communication; the complicated sub-set of code searching and decision-making processes that constitute practical clinical 'coding'; allocation to diagnosis-related groups; confirmation of financial reimbursement; auditing; and quality management practices to ensure the integrity of the multiple outputs and outcomes of clinical coding. An analogy of these complex, exacting, and knowledge-dense work practices is made with the 20th century avant-garde art movement of Cubism: the creation of Pablo Picasso's The three musicians is used as a metaphor for clinical/health classification work.
authors: North West Area Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia. emily.price@dhhs.tas.gov.au
authors: Emily
authors: E
authors: Price
authors: Kerin
authors: K
authors: Robinson
mesh_terms: D054869:Clinical Audit; D059019:Clinical Coding / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000145:classification* / Q000191:economics; D017050:Episode of Care; D005377:Financial Management, Hospital / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006751:Hospital Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans