DIMDI - Alpha-ID - the identification number for diagnosis

Alpha-ID - the identification number for diagnosis

Medical terms become electronically processable with the help of Alpha-ID. The unchangeability of the code during input into DIMDI ensures the interoperability of this code.

Basically, Alpha-ID is a continuous number which identifies the entries in the alphabetical index of the ICD-10-GM. Through the future extension with terms over and above diagnostics, this terminology can be used for more than diagnostic encryption.

Alpha-ID in the Downloadcenter Klassifikationen

Medical Documentation

The ICD-10 codes are not sufficiently differentiated for medical documentation. The use of entries from the Alphabetical Index enables a significantly higher degree of detail for electronic processing. However, the fineness required in everyday clinical life can only be achieved with additional free text. This cannot be processed in programs. As the medical terms in the Alphabetical Index are given unchangeable codes, their medical information can be used for evaluation in Software e.g. systems supporting therapy decision or for research.

Interoperability

In view of the imminent integration in the Health Care System, the codes must be uniformly developed and terms distinctly allocated. Supplementing the Alphabetical Index by the Alpha-ID ensures a country-wide, uniformly refined coding without disrupting treatment procedures. The high diffusion rate of the Alphabetical Index within Germany enables simple and area-wide access to terminology without further bureaucracy.

Maintenance

Due to the long-standing maintenance of the ICD, the Alphabetical Index contains common medical terms. These can be used as terminology due to the supplementation of entries in the Alphabetical Index by the Alpha-ID.

You have the possibility of continuously improving the Alpha-ID. Processing the entries is subject to a maintenance procedure, which is based on the annual ICD maintenance procedure. Please send your recommendations to our Helpdesk Classifications.