Classifications and Terminologies Newsletter, June 2024

Introducing our new ICD-11 web page 

The new ICD-11 web page launched on May 6, 2024. With intuitive navigation menus, this dedicated web page serves as our central platform for all things related to ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision). From articles to educational materials, you’ll find everything you need to stay connected and engaged in learning more about ICD-11 and what it has to offer. 

Key features of our ICD-11 web page include

• Getting ready: Stay up to date on our ICD-11 activities with our progress reporting and gain practical experience coding with ICD-11. 
• Participate: Join us on the ICD-11 journey as we foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Learn more: Explore training opportunities and additional resources available from the World Health Organization (WHO), other countries and institutions around the world.

New content will be added to the web page quarterly to ensure that you have access to the most current and relevant information.

We invite you to explore the new ICD-11 web page and hope you find the content helpful. Your feedback and suggestions are welcome. If you have any questions, or if you’re interested in learning more about ICD-11 and the activities we are involved in, please don’t hesitate to drop us a note at icd-11@cihi.ca.

Pan-Canadian ICD-11 Implementation Task Force

While we do not have a date for ICD-11 implementation in Canada, there are ongoing efforts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the implications for health system use. To facilitate this process, plans are underway to establish the Pan-Canadian ICD-11 Implementation Task Force. The task force will play a pivotal role in understanding jurisdictions’ needs, addressing potential challenges and developing a strategic road map for the implementation of ICD-11. Further updates on the task force will be shared as we progress.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our efforts, please contact us at icd-11@cihi.ca.

Modernizing coder resources

CIHI is embarking on a journey to modernize the Canadian Coding Standards (CCS) and the Canadian Classification of Health Interventions (CCI) to meet the rapidly changing clinical and technological landscape. More specifically, this project aims to improve efficiencies and user experience, reduce coder burden, and both support and align with interoperability and future electronic health record data collection and coding practices. Stay tuned for more information.

Canadian Coding Standards

Based on feedback from our pan-Canadian clients and with approval in principle from our National Coding Advisory Committee, we are streamlining and modernizing the CCS. This includes retiring coding standards when coding direction is found in the classification (ICD-10-CA or CCI). Streamlining also includes removing content that does not provide or support coding direction (e.g., educational, clinical and legislative content); removing optional coding; consolidating directive statements, notes and exception notes; retiring or refreshing examples; writing in clearer language; and restructuring the content. More information about the status of the CCS changes is coming soon!

Canadian Classification of Health Interventions

Streamlining and modernizing CCI includes exploring opportunities to remove outdated and redundant content that is no longer required for data collection and reporting. This includes, for example, removing specificity from codes with high volumes and reviewing the notes in the classification and mandatory attributes. For more information about the status of changes to CCI, see CCI Classification Enhancement Requests for Version 2027 (XLSX).

Web-based classifications platform: Canadian Classification Browser

The Classifications and Terminologies department has produced an alpha version of the Canadian Classification Browser (CCB). The CCB is a one-stop-shop web-based tool housing ICD-10-CA and CCI, along with related products such as the CCS and the ICD-10-CA/CCI PDFs. The product isn’t ready for prime time yet; however, we are working on a plan to formally evaluate this version to guide refinement and calibration for the next iteration. During the evaluation period, we will seek input from coders in the field. Please stay tuned for more information.

New bulletin: Influenza due to influenza A/H5N1 (avian influenza)

This bulletin clarifies that influenza due to influenza A/H5N1 (avian influenza) is classified to J09 Influenza due to identified zoonotic or pandemic influenza virus.

New knee joint course!

Newly released! Coding Knee Joint Replacements has been redesigned to be more interactive, allowing you to practise coding various types of knee joint replacements and revisions using a decision tree, reference guide, and ICD-10-CA and CCI as your guide.

See the Education section below for more information.

Retirement of Code Basket webinar

We recently retired the Code Basket webinar from our web pages. If you have any questions, please contact us at classifications&terminologies@cihi.ca.

New data on patients experiencing homelessness and hospital use now available

New information on hospital patients experiencing homelessness, as identified with ICD-10-CA code Z59.0 Homelessness, has been released on CIHI’s website. This is CIHI’s first analysis of the characteristics of these patients since code Z59.0 became mandatory to assign in 2018–2019. This release highlights the utility of a clinical code in supporting a health care system’s ability to meet the needs of patients experiencing homelessness.

See the recently released tip for coders Homelessness (PDF) for information on the mandatory capture of Z59.0.

eQuery list of archived and revised questions

The updated eQuery Questions: Archived and Revised, and Coding Direction in eQuery Only (XLSX) is now available. It lists archived coding questions and coding questions that were closed and posted or that were posted only for revised responses or for which direction was provided in eQuery between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2024.

NEW email address for Classifications and Terminologies

We have updated our email address to classifications&terminologies@cihi.ca.

For additional information about content in this newsletter or to sign up for our client distribution list, please contact us at classifications&terminologies@cihi.ca.