Tabel 2: Common error in coding ICPC-2
Chapters in ICPC-2   Common error in coding ICPC-2
 
A General  

Hyperuricaemia was incorrectly coded as gouty arthritis (T92). Hyperuricaemia should be coded as A91 (abnormal result investigation number).
    Adverse effect of medical agent (A85) was not coded correctly. e.g. ACEI induced cough was incorrectly coded as cough (R05).
       
B Blood/blood forming organs/immune mechanism     nil
       
D Digestive   Diagnoses of gastroenteritis was coded as D11 (diarrhoea) while D73 (gastroenteritis presumed infective origin) should be more specific.
    Confusion with coding disease presented with jaundice and was non-specifically coded as jaundice (D13). Codes specifically on the diagnoses are more appropriate e.g. viral hepatitis (D72), hepatocellular carcinoma (D77), pancreatic cancer (D76).
    Patients presented with chronic hepatitis B infection were not coded. Viral hepatitis (D72) should be used which include all hepatitis presumed viral and chronic active hepatitis. The criteria are "evidence of viral infection with inflammation of the liver with or without jaundice; or serological evidence of an infection with a hepatitis virus".
    In patients with epigastric pain, it appears that many codes could be used which was frequently confused. If one could arrive at a diagnosis, e.g. duodenal ulcer (D85), Peptic ulcer other (D86), one could code such diagnoses. Frequently, before one could arrive at a specific diagnosis, the symptom/complaint or "Reason for Encounter" (RFE) could be coded. Therefore when patient says,
        "I have stomach ache and pain" D02
        "I am dyspeptic." D07
        "I am bloating and passing wind" D08
        "I have pain over here" (pointing at his epigastrium) D02
         
F Eye   Subconjunctival haemorrhage was incorrectly coded as red eye(F02) which should be coded as F75 (Contusion/haemorrhage eye).
       
K Circulatory   Hypertension (HT) with complications was incorrectly coded as K86. In ICPC-2 codes K85-K87 are related to hypertension. K85 is used for elevated blood pressure not meeting criteria for K86 and K87 and transient or labile hypertension. This could be used in patients with elevated BP awaiting confirmation of diagnoses and in patients with transient increase in BP with existing HT. In confirmed HT patients with essential HT, HT NOS and idiopathic HT, K86 should be used. If complications occurred in HT patients, K87 should be used i.e. HT abnormalities of the heart, kidney, eye or brain attributed to HT.
    Internal haemorrhoid or perianal haematoma was wrongly coded as digestive symptom. In ICPC-2, they are coded under circulatory problem, K96.
       
L Musculoskeletal   Codes for symptoms were frequently misused while the diagnosis was not coded specifically.
    Osteoarthritis of knee was incorrectly coded as L15 (knee symptom/complaint) while L90 (osteoarthritis of knee) was more specific.
    Flat foot was incorrectly coded as L17 (Foot/toe complaint) while L98 (acquired deformity of limb) was more specific.
    Frozen shoulder was coded incorrectly as L08 (shoulder symptom/complaint) while L92 (shoulder syndrome) was more specific.
    De Quervain syndrome was incorrectly coded as L11 (wrist symptom/complaint) while L87 (bursitis/tendinitis/synovitis) should be used.
       
N Neurological   Carpal tunnel syndrome was incorrectly coded as L12 (hand symptom/complaint) which should be coded as N93 (carpal tunnel syndrome).
       
P Psychological   Many psychological problems were encountered but not coded.
    Panic attack/disorder was incorrectly coded as P99 (psychological disorders other) which should be specifically coded as P74 (anxiety disorder/anxiety state)
    Obstructive sleep apnoea was erroneously coded as respiratory problem. In ICPC-2, P06 (Sleep disturbance) should be used.
       
R Respiratory   Hyperactive airway was coded incorrectly as R05 (cough) while this should be code as R96 (asthma).
       
S Skin   Dry skin was coded incorrectly as S29 (skin symptom/complaint other) which should be coded as S21 (skin texture symptom/complaint)
       
T Endocrine/metabolic/nutritional   Obesity is classified differently in Asians and Caucasians; and T82 (Obesity) and T83 (Overweight) seem to mean different things in Asians and cause confusion in coding. We adopted WHO Asia Pacific perspective in our coding for Asians (WHO IOTF 2003): (Table 3)
       
U Urinary system     Nil
       
W Pregnancy, childbearing, family planning     Nil
       
X Female genital system including breast     Nil
       
Y Male genital system   Male breast lump was wrongly coded as including breast X19 (breast lump/mass female). Y16 (breast symptom/complaint male) should be used while equivalent code in female was X19
       
Z Social problems   Social problems were frequently not coded
    Loss of parents was coded wrongly as P06 (sleep disturbance) while it should be coded as Z23(loss/death of parent/family member problem)