In the early days of MedDRA coding it was hard to find a health care professional who had any experience coding MedDRA. Many companies had to adopt a hybrid approach to coding. An example of this would have been when a Data Manager performed the coding and the oversight would be carried out by an…
Category: Coding
Why not choose your own System Organ Class?
For a long period of time I have used MedDRA and I have sometimes contemplated why as a coder we cannot choose our System Organ Classes in the same way that many companies choose to select WHO Drug ATC codes. I have had calls from Medical Monitors requesting just that. The answer according to the…
Coded Data Quality
The quality of data received can vary wildly. From a CRO’s interpretation of your data to in-house CDM’s who use other information to code a term, this highly regulated industry leaves a lot of room for error. The global effort to harmonize good quality data is an ongoing and sometimes uphill battle. Every time a…
Tricky Coding Issues II
Pharmaceutical Industry coding is a global affair, meaning many an issue may arise that can affect coding choices based on one’s geographic location and cultural understandings. When reviewing or performing coding in regions where specificity, consistency and cultural and national differences may impact the way a medical concept is understood, it is important to grasp…
Tricky Coding Issues
Coding in MedDRA is fraught with pitfalls and conceptual shades of grey. How and why we find a code that will represent the event presented best requires some coding practice predetermination in some cases that would otherwise become a challenge. Here are a few examples of how early decision making can minimize your efforts in…
Intro to ATC Coding
Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system is maintained by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology in Oslo, Norway. The system provides a global standard for classifying medical substances and serves as a tool for drug utilization research. The ATC chemical classification began with drug consumption research in the 1960’s. ATC Timeline: • 1968-…
Highlights of ATC Coding
Since 1982, the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system has been maintained by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology in Oslo, Norway. The system provides a global standard for classifying medical substances and serves as a tool for drug utilization research. The WHO recommends the ATC system for international comparisons. In the WHO…
Life after dsNavigator, moving to a new coding system
Coding software is often one of the most overlooked clinical technologies. Coders are often subjected to using simplistic coding tools that were built in house many years ago. Coding tools built into a piece of OTS (off the shelf) software designed for another purpose, or sometimes your favorite product retires before you. This can result…
Key Criteria in Selecting a Medical Coding Solution
Medical Coding software is often one of the most overlooked clinical software technologies. Coders are often subjected to using simplistic Medical Coding tools that were built in-house many years ago, coding tools built into a piece of OTS (off-the-shelf) software designed for another purpose or something spun out of another product. This results in fragmented…
