Clinical coding and classifications, sometimes called health classifications, group aspects of patient information and characteristics into categories based on established criteria, logic and conventions. These categories can then be used for a range of activities that underpin the delivery of health services. These activities include:
The files in this archive are provided for historical purposes only.
Prior to the introduction of the VICC queries database, HDSS produced the ICD Coding Newsletter to support the coding function and provide education to Health Information Managers and Clinical Coders. The Newsletter ceased production in December 2006.
Victoria's additions to the Australian Coding Standards (ACS) supplement the advice in the ACS. The additions are reviewed each year and are effective as at 1 July each year.
Victorian additions to the Australian Coding Standards effective 1 July 2020
The Eleventh Edition ACS 0002 Additional diagnoses and ACS 0010 Clinical documentation and abstraction guidelines education supports the consistent application of the Eleventh Edition changes to the Australian Coding Standards ACS 0002 and ACS 0010. The document has been updated to reflect changes to ACS 0002 published by IHPA in errata 3.
The ICD coding queries database supports the clinical coding function performed in Victoria by health information managers and clinical coders. The database provides access to submitted queries and their responses. The database can be downloaded or viewed online.
The Victorian ICD Coding Committee (VICC) is chaired by a health information manager of the Victorian Agency of Health Information. It is made up of qualified clinical coders selected by the Agency. Meetings are held monthly and special interest groups can designate an appropriate committee member as their point of contact with the committee. The Victorian ICD Coding Committee was formed in 1979 as an official committee of the Victorian Health Authority, in association with the Victorian Medical Record Association.
All Victorian hospitals use the following classifications to assign clinical codes to admitted episodes of care in hospitals:
Health services must report perioperative mortality and morbidity, including surgical and anaesthetic, to the Victorian Perioperative Consultative Council (VPCC).
Note: We are reviewing our forms to streamline perioperative reporting. Please continue to report anaesthetic and surgical cases through the separate forms.
All surgical mortality where the final admission of the patient was:
The Victorian Clinical Governance Framework helps providers to:
Delirium is a serious medical condition where people experience sudden changes in their thinking, attention and memory, causing them to become confused, agitated or drowsy.
Usually lasting from a few days to weeks, it can lead to serious complications such as falls, pressure injuries, longer hospital admissions and sometimes death.