OPCS-4
Encyclopedia
Currently on version 4.6, OPCS Classification of Interventions and Procedures ("OPCS-4") is a procedural classification
list for the coding of operations, procedures and interventions performed on NHS
patients during an episode of health care in the UK. As such it is comparable with ICD-10
, which is used for coding diagnoses in the same setting.
The first NHS procedural classification was published in 1987, by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys as the Classification of Surgical Operations. In 1992 the 4th revision was released as the OPCS Classification of Surgical Operations and Procedures (4th revision) (OPCS-4.2). In 1999, responsibility for the classifications used in the NHS passed to the newly formed NHS Information Authority
(NHS IA). However, OPCS-4.2 remained the mandated method of procedural classification in the NHS setting until March 2006.
In 2003, the NHS IA had realised that OPCS-4.2 no longer clinically reflected many of the procedures developed since its last revision. As a medium term measure, a project to replace OPCS-4 with a more robust method of procedure coding was proposed and partially developed. Rather than a sequence of several codes, the new classification would have used a single alphanumeric code up to 15 characters long to capture activity. However, when the NHS IA was superseded by NHS Connecting for Health
(NHS CFH) in 2005, the project was put on indefinite hold, and a program of annual revisions to OPCS-4 was implemented. Much of the development work for the redundant project was reused to produce the initial expansion and enhancement of OPCS-4.2 to OPCS-4.3.
Since the publication of OPCS-4.3 in 2006 there have been three further revisions to OPCS-4. Each becoming the mandated classification on 1 April in the year of publication.
OPCS-4 version mandated for use (financial year)
Whilst NHS CFH continues to review OPCS-4 on an annual basis, the long term plan remains to replace OPCS-4 with SNOMED CT
.
Medical classification
Medical classification, or medical coding, is the process of transforming descriptions of medical diagnoses and procedures into universal medical code numbers...
list for the coding of operations, procedures and interventions performed on NHS
National Health Service
The National Health Service is the shared name of three of the four publicly funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. They provide a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the United Kingdom...
patients during an episode of health care in the UK. As such it is comparable with ICD-10
ICD-10
The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision is a medical classification list for the coding of diseases, signs and symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances, and external causes of injury or diseases, as maintained by the...
, which is used for coding diagnoses in the same setting.
The first NHS procedural classification was published in 1987, by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys as the Classification of Surgical Operations. In 1992 the 4th revision was released as the OPCS Classification of Surgical Operations and Procedures (4th revision) (OPCS-4.2). In 1999, responsibility for the classifications used in the NHS passed to the newly formed NHS Information Authority
NHS Information Authority
The NHS Information Authority was part of the UK National Health Service . It was established by an Act of Parliament in 1999. With headquarters in Birmingham, UK, its aim was to bring together four NHS IT and Information bodies to work together to deliver IT infrastructure and information...
(NHS IA). However, OPCS-4.2 remained the mandated method of procedural classification in the NHS setting until March 2006.
In 2003, the NHS IA had realised that OPCS-4.2 no longer clinically reflected many of the procedures developed since its last revision. As a medium term measure, a project to replace OPCS-4 with a more robust method of procedure coding was proposed and partially developed. Rather than a sequence of several codes, the new classification would have used a single alphanumeric code up to 15 characters long to capture activity. However, when the NHS IA was superseded by NHS Connecting for Health
NHS Connecting for Health
NHS Connecting for Health is part of the UK Department of Health and was formed on 1 April 2005, replacing the former NHS Information Authority. It has the responsibility of delivering the NHS National Programme for IT , an initiative by the Department of Health in England to move the National...
(NHS CFH) in 2005, the project was put on indefinite hold, and a program of annual revisions to OPCS-4 was implemented. Much of the development work for the redundant project was reused to produce the initial expansion and enhancement of OPCS-4.2 to OPCS-4.3.
Since the publication of OPCS-4.3 in 2006 there have been three further revisions to OPCS-4. Each becoming the mandated classification on 1 April in the year of publication.
OPCS-4 version mandated for use (financial year)
- Up to 31 March 2006 OPCS-4.2
- 2006-7 OPCS-4.3
- 2007-9 OPCS-4.4 (no revision for 2008)
- 2009-11 OPCS-4.5
- 2011-ongoing OPCS-4.6
Whilst NHS CFH continues to review OPCS-4 on an annual basis, the long term plan remains to replace OPCS-4 with SNOMED CT
SNOMED CT
SNOMED CT , is a systematically organised computer processable collection of medical terminology covering most areas of clinical information such as diseases, findings, procedures, microorganisms, substances, etc...
.