The Best Boring Book Ever of Select Healthcare Classification Systems and Databases

As you have probably already guessed by the title, this book is not a page-turner; there are no life-changing secrets buried here. Rather, it is meant to serve as a resource for both seasoned professionals in and newcomers to the healthcare industry, a resource that provides concise but thorough descriptions of select clinical classification systems and select healthcare databases. We have followed a very simple format. Each entry on a named system or database presents a general description of its current state, followed by a timeline of key points in its evolution. Finally, a summary section describes present structure and terminology. This arrangement will, we hope, help the reader understand the antecedents and evolution of these systems and databases, and thereby help guide the choice of exactly the right such resources for a particular project. Which systems and databases align best with the questions you hope to answer, the information you hope to impart? The information presented here should make those decisions and selections faster, easier, smoother, and more confident.

Katherine Rowell is co-founder and principal of Katherine S. Rowell & Associates and HealthDataViz, a Boston firm that specializes in helping healthcare organizations organize, design, and present visual displays of data to inform their decisions and stimulate effective action. She advises providers, payers, policymakers and regulatory agencies how to align systems, de- sign reports, and develop staff to communicate healthcare data clearly. Kathy holds a BS in Business Management and a Master's in Health Administration from the University of New Hampshire, and an MS from Dartmouth Medical School. A former member of the faculty of Brandeis University's Medical Informatics Graduate Program, Kathy continues to serve on its Advisory Committee. She is a recipient of the prestigious Partners in Excellence Award for leadership and innovation. Co-author Ann Cutrell is an expert in the design and implementation of integrated management software that tracks, organizes, presents, and applies data to support optimum clinical outcomes and control costs, while helping providers comply with government healthcare initiatives. Ann Cutrell holds a BS in Pharmacy from Duquesne University, and an MS in Health and Medical Informatics at Brandeis University