In article <014b01be2e02$37152ee0$dd3863c3@default>, Patrick Pearson
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>I agree absolutely. The problem seems to be that there are so many disparate
>groups out there all trying to invent the wheel independantly but all coming
>up with different oval shapes which they are trying to fit on the same car
>causing it to steer erratically.
>At the moment we are stuck with Read codes, not perfect but it's the best we
>have.
>
>BTW, do all the different platforms use Read codes?
I think all GP systems have to use "some version" of Read to be RFA
compliant.. but not all of them are!
Geting back to basics..
Why do you want to code anything? Surely only to be able to search-and-
retrieve data - and to "audit" it.. (that is, it isn't necessary to have
one of those full audit cycles to find retreiving information useful!
;->>>>>)
Start with definitions and levels.
How do you define "Asthma"? (if there's no concensus, you'll have to
live with a database corrupted within known parameters....)
If you are seeing a patient, are you differentiating between the disease
code, the monitoring code (asthma monitoring done) and the code for
"acute exaccerbation of asthma" code: does everyone in the practice
agree with the codes(and definitions) chosen?
Does your system allow you to distinguish between new episodes (eg
"acute myocardial infarct") and review of an acute problem?
How does *your* solution match with anyone else's? Is there a local Read
formulary? Why reinvent the wheel?
We started in 1992, *without* any planning or understanding - so the
database is a bit - er- individual,, but works for us..
We try to have a high-level code - and then "change" it to other , lower
codes to keep them associated in the EPR - eg, IHD as the main diagnosis
with angina, myocardial infarction, CABG as, as it were, episode codes..
Only real tip is to get the whole practice to agree - then set up some
form of structured data entry, so that it's easier to carry out the
agreements than to go your own way!
Mary
Mary Hawking Kingsbury Court Surgery Church Street Dunstable LU5 4RS
tel:01582 663218 (surgery)fax:01582 476488 (surgery)
Member of British Healthcare Internet Association
Dunstable and Houghton Regis Locality Commisssioning Pilot
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