The transition to the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11), aims to improve the quality and level of detail of morbidity and mortality data through its progressive integration into health information systems.
Within Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems, this process helps improve the accuracy, traceability, and availability of information, supporting more timely and evidence-based decision-making.
Why is ICD-11 important?
Its integration into digital health systems makes it possible to improve data quality and strengthen the analysis of morbidity and mortality.
- Greater level of detail in recording diagnoses and causes of death
- Improved comparability of information
- More standardized and traceable processes
- More useful information for planning and decision-making
ICD-11 is part of a broader family of WHO international classifications. Explore the WHO classifications portal to discover other tools that support the recording, analysis, and comparison of health information.
This process is implemented through two complementary pathways: an operational pathway, integrated into existing systems, and a dual coding pathway, aimed at ensuring comparability with ICD-10.
Operational pathway
ICD-11 is integrated into electronic health records and in-hospital death registration, enabling structured search and selection of diagnoses, standardized data storage, and subsequent analysis.
Dual coding pathway
This pathway maintains comparability with ICD-10 during the transition process, supporting a progressive and consistent implementation across different use scenarios.
Integration into digital systems
Integrating ICD-11 into information systems makes it possible to ensure full traceability of records, including details on the user, the version of the classification used, and control of any modifications made.
Traceability and control
- Record of the user entering the data
- Version of the classification used
- Control of modifications made
Validation and technical requirements
- Data completeness and consistency
- System security and availability
- Operational continuity
Automation and digitalization
The transition to ICD-11 also opens the door to digital tools that streamline the coding of causes of death, improve the accuracy of records, and strengthen the analysis of health information.
DORIS
A key component of this transition is the use of tools such as DORIS, designed to support the automated selection of the underlying cause of death.
- Improves coding consistency
- Reduces errors in data entry
- Strengthens the quality of mortality data
- Supports more standardized and efficient processes
ICD-11 API
The ICD-11 API enables the integration of the classification into digital systems and platforms, supporting standardized search, selection, and validation of terms. Its use contributes to improved interoperability, stronger data quality, and supports the transition toward new coding models in health.
- Facilitates the integration of ICD-11 into information systems
- Improves the search and selection of coded terms
- Promotes interoperability and standardized use of data
- Supports more precise, scalable, and sustainable processes