Preparing Sweden for the transition to ICD-11

Katriina Pernaa Bäckman ^a, Anders Jacobsson ^a, Veronica Myrelid ^b, Olafr Steinum ^c

Introduction
Before Sweden switches from the 10th revision of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) to the 11th revision (ICD-11) in a few years, most IT systems that use ICD codes need to be upgraded and rebuilt, as they are not adapted to the new code format and the code clusters in ICD-11. Furthermore, processes for statistical analysis, indicators, follow-up and reimbursement systems need to be adapted as well. This work will take time and cost a lot, but in order for Sweden to have continuity in the flow of data, and to be able to continue coding correctly for analyses, comparisons and reimbursement without time gaps, the upgrade work must be done in the very near future. However, interest in and knowledge of ICD-11 and its code system varies greatly from region to region.

Methods
Region Stockholm and Region Västmanland have together created an introduction to ICD-11, an interactive training course available on the regional training portals.

There is a great demand among employees in Region Stockholm for information about ICD-11, while in Region Västmanland the interest seems to be very low. Our interactive introduction to ICD-11 is primarily intended for personnel with key role positions in health care management. Managers and other stakeholders, such as IT experts and information analysts, must be made aware that it is high time to start to prepare for the changes in future health care systems data management in the regions.

Conclusions
Our cooperation across regional borders with the introductory material will hopefully cover the basic need for information in regions where the interest in ICD-11 is great, and perhaps also start preparatory work in regions where the administration has not yet fully realized the extent of the coming change. In any case, this is a first step towards preparing Sweden to the coming ICD-11 implementation.

Examples and details from the training course will be presented.


^a Region Stockholm, Sweden
^b Region Västmanland, Sweden
^c Diaqualos AB, Sweden

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