Towards developing a national health information standards framework for South Africa

• Published in: International journal of medical informatics Vol. 48; no. 1; pp. 29 - 31
• Main Authors: Bourne, D.E., Hanmer, L.A., Heavens, K.J.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-02-1998; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Codes (standards); Computer aided diagnosis; Computer Communication Networks - standards; Computerized, statistical medical data processing and models in biomedicine; Drug products; Health information standards; Information dissemination; Integrated Advanced Information Management Systems - standards; International Cooperation; Medical computing and teaching; Medical sciences; South Africa; Terminology as Topic; World Health Organization; South Africa; Africa; South Africa; Health information standards; Biomedical data processing; Data analysis; Information system; Coding; Standardization; Selection criterion; Pharmaceutical care; Identification; Diagnosis; Public health
• ISSN: 1386-5056; 1872-8243
• DOI: 10.1016/S1386-5056(97)00105-6

An outline is given of the development of a health information standards framework for South Africa. The main emphasis has been in the development of data standards including coding schemes. Choices for diagnostic, procedure, and reason for encounter codes are given as well as options for personal identifiers, telemedicine, and pharmaceutical codes and messaging standards.