International Classification for Disease

The 11^th edition of the International Classification for Disease is in process and due out in 2015. The organization responsible for this code and its changes is the World Health Organization (WHO).

For those of us who have experienced the journey with hypoxic-anoxic brain injury, we must contact WHO and insist that hypoxic-anoxic brain injuries be considered in classifications as the organization does TBI. The change must begin with us, to raise awareness of this critical need, not just in the United States, but around the world.

http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/

“The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is the standard diagnostic tool for epidemiology, health management and clinical purposes. This includes the analysis of the general health situation of population groups. It is used to monitor the incidence and prevalence of diseases and other health problems.

It is used to classify diseases and other health problems recorded on many types of health and vital records including death certificates and health records. In addition to enabling the storage and retrieval of diagnostic information for clinical, epidemiological and quality purposes, these records also provide the basis for the compilation of national mortality and morbidity statistics by WHO Member States. It is used for reimbursement and resource allocation decision-making by countries.

ICD-10 was endorsed by the Forty-third World Health Assembly in May 1990 and came into use in WHO Member States as from 1994. The 11th revision of the classification has already started and will continue until 2015.”

With the help of my wonderful online family who never fails to come through when I ask for help, I have compiled the following list of known causes for hypoxic-anoxic brain injuries. Some of these could possibly be combined but this is a start to making a change that will affect all people who suffer a hypoxic-anoxic brain injury.

Proposed changes to ICD-10

Hypoxic-Anoxic Brain Injury

Causes

     Asphyxiation

Asthma

     Chemical Exposure

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Divers

     Drowning (near)

     Drug Overdose

     Epileptic Seizures

     Heart Attack

     Meningitis

     Oxygen toxicity

     Pinned Under an Object

     Repeated Concussions

     Shaken Baby Syndrome   

     Smoke Inhalation

     Stroke

     Sudden Cardiac Arrest

     Suffocation

     Surgery  

     Toxic Gases

Unacclimatized exposure to high mountainous environments