Definition
Components
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Data Element ConceptEpisode of care—principal diagnosis
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Object ClassEpisode of care
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PropertyPrincipal diagnosis
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Value DomainDiagnosis code (ICD-10-AM 8th edn) ANN{.N[N]}
Representation
This representation is based on the value domain for this data element, more information is available at " Diagnosis code (ICD-10-AM 8th edn) ANN{.N[N]} ".| Data Type | String |
|---|---|
| Format | ANN{.N[N]} |
| Maximum character length | 6 |
Comments
Guide for use:
The principal diagnosis must be determined in accordance with the Australian Coding Standards. Each episode of admitted patient care must have a principal diagnosis and may have additional diagnoses. The diagnosis can include a disease, condition, injury, poisoning, sign, symptom, abnormal finding, complaint, or other factor influencing health status.
As a minimum requirement the Principal diagnosis code must be a valid code from the current edition of ICD-10-AM.
For episodes of admitted patient care, some diagnosis codes are too imprecise or inappropriate to be acceptable as a principal diagnosis and will group to an error DRG in the Australian Refined Diagnosis Related Groups.
Diagnosis codes starting with a V, W, X or Y, describing the circumstances that cause an injury, rather than the nature of the injury, cannot be used as principal diagnosis. Diagnosis codes which are morphology codes cannot be used as principal diagnosis.
Origin:
National Centre for Classification in Health
National Data Standard for Injury Surveillance Advisory Group
Comments:
The principal diagnosis is one of the most valuable health data elements. It is used for epidemiological research, casemix studies and planning purposes.