What is the process of converting narrative diagnoses and procedures into numeric form called?

The process of converting narrative diagnoses and procedures into numeric form is known as coding. This is a critical step in the healthcare system, as it involves assigning specific codes to healthcare services, diagnoses, and procedures as per standardized coding systems, such as ICD (International Classification of Diseases) for diagnoses and CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) for procedures.

Coding enables accurate and consistent recording of medical information, which is essential for billing, insurance reimbursements, and tracking health statistics. It ensures that healthcare providers can receive payment for their services while also providing valuable data for research, managing population health, and public health reporting.

By transforming complex clinical descriptions into manageable and universal numeric codes, coding facilitates communication among healthcare stakeholders, including providers, payers, and regulatory bodies, thereby supporting the overall healthcare infrastructure.