Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
The Eighteen Foundational Postulates
Postulate 5 Separation of Diagnosis and Classification
Statement
Diagnosis and classification SHALL be treated as separate stages of the medical reasoning process.
Definition
Diagnosis is the medical determination or assessment of a patient's condition based on the available medical information, findings, and clinical reasoning.
Classification is the subsequent assignment of that diagnosis or medical condition to a defined classification system.
Diagnosis answers:
What is medically present or most likely present?
Classification answers:
How is this medical determination represented within a classification system?
A classification system SHALL NOT be treated as a substitute for diagnostic reasoning.
Principle
A diagnosis SHALL be established independently of its classification whenever the diagnostic process permits. Classification SHALL follow diagnosis and SHALL NOT determine diagnosis.
The existence of a suitable classification entry does not establish that the corresponding diagnosis is medically justified.
Conversely, the absence of an immediately apparent classification entry does not invalidate an established medical finding or diagnosis.
Rationale
Practical Example
Database Requirements
Implications
Related Postulates
Key Message
Diagnose first. Classify afterwards.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
The Eighteen Foundational Postulates
Postulate 5 Separation of Diagnosis and Classification
Statement
Diagnosis and classification SHALL be treated as separate stages of the medical reasoning process.
Definition
Diagnosis is the medical determination or assessment of a patient's condition based on the available medical information, findings, and clinical reasoning.
Classification is the subsequent assignment of that diagnosis or medical condition to a defined classification system.
Diagnosis answers:
What is medically present or most likely present?
Classification answers:
How is this medical determination represented within a classification system?
A classification system SHALL NOT be treated as a substitute for diagnostic reasoning.
Principle
A diagnosis SHALL be established independently of its classification whenever the diagnostic process permits. Classification SHALL follow diagnosis and SHALL NOT determine diagnosis.
The existence of a suitable classification entry does not establish that the corresponding diagnosis is medically justified.
Conversely, the absence of an immediately apparent classification entry does not invalidate an established medical finding or diagnosis.
Rationale
Practical Example
Database Requirements
Implications
Related Postulates
Key Message
Diagnose first. Classify afterwards.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
The Eighteen Foundational Postulates
Postulate 5 Separation of Diagnosis and Classification
Statement
Diagnosis and classification SHALL be treated as separate stages of the medical reasoning process.
Definition
Diagnosis is the medical determination or assessment of a patient's condition based on the available medical information, findings, and clinical reasoning.
Classification is the subsequent assignment of that diagnosis or medical condition to a defined classification system.
Diagnosis answers:
What is medically present or most likely present?
Classification answers:
How is this medical determination represented within a classification system?
A classification system SHALL NOT be treated as a substitute for diagnostic reasoning.
Principle
A diagnosis SHALL be established independently of its classification whenever the diagnostic process permits. Classification SHALL follow diagnosis and SHALL NOT determine diagnosis.
The existence of a suitable classification entry does not establish that the corresponding diagnosis is medically justified.
Conversely, the absence of an immediately apparent classification entry does not invalidate an established medical finding or diagnosis.
Rationale
Practical Example
Database Requirements
Implications
Related Postulates
Key Message
Diagnose first. Classify afterwards.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
The Eighteen Foundational Postulates
Postulate 5 Separation of Diagnosis and Classification
Statement
Diagnosis and classification SHALL be treated as separate stages of the medical reasoning process.
Definition
Diagnosis is the medical determination or assessment of a patient's condition based on the available medical information, findings, and clinical reasoning.
Classification is the subsequent assignment of that diagnosis or medical condition to a defined classification system.
Diagnosis answers:
What is medically present or most likely present?
Classification answers:
How is this medical determination represented within a classification system?
A classification system SHALL NOT be treated as a substitute for diagnostic reasoning.
Principle
A diagnosis SHALL be established independently of its classification whenever the diagnostic process permits. Classification SHALL follow diagnosis and SHALL NOT determine diagnosis.
The existence of a suitable classification entry does not establish that the corresponding diagnosis is medically justified.
Conversely, the absence of an immediately apparent classification entry does not invalidate an established medical finding or diagnosis.
Rationale
Practical Example
Database Requirements
Implications
Related Postulates
Key Message
Diagnose first. Classify afterwards.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
The Eighteen Foundational Postulates
Postulate 5 Separation of Diagnosis and Classification
Statement
Diagnosis and classification SHALL be treated as separate stages of the medical reasoning process.
Definition
Diagnosis is the medical determination or assessment of a patient's condition based on the available medical information, findings, and clinical reasoning.
Classification is the subsequent assignment of that diagnosis or medical condition to a defined classification system.
Diagnosis answers:
What is medically present or most likely present?
Classification answers:
How is this medical determination represented within a classification system?
A classification system SHALL NOT be treated as a substitute for diagnostic reasoning.
Principle
A diagnosis SHALL be established independently of its classification whenever the diagnostic process permits. Classification SHALL follow diagnosis and SHALL NOT determine diagnosis.
The existence of a suitable classification entry does not establish that the corresponding diagnosis is medically justified.
Conversely, the absence of an immediately apparent classification entry does not invalidate an established medical finding or diagnosis.
Rationale
Practical Example
Database Requirements
Implications
Related Postulates
Key Message
Diagnose first. Classify afterwards.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
The Eighteen Foundational Postulates
Postulate 5 Separation of Diagnosis and Classification
Statement
Diagnosis and classification SHALL be treated as separate stages of the medical reasoning process.
Definition
Diagnosis is the medical determination or assessment of a patient's condition based on the available medical information, findings, and clinical reasoning.
Classification is the subsequent assignment of that diagnosis or medical condition to a defined classification system.
Diagnosis answers:
What is medically present or most likely present?
Classification answers:
How is this medical determination represented within a classification system?
A classification system SHALL NOT be treated as a substitute for diagnostic reasoning.
Principle
A diagnosis SHALL be established independently of its classification whenever the diagnostic process permits. Classification SHALL follow diagnosis and SHALL NOT determine diagnosis.
The existence of a suitable classification entry does not establish that the corresponding diagnosis is medically justified.
Conversely, the absence of an immediately apparent classification entry does not invalidate an established medical finding or diagnosis.
Rationale
Practical Example
Database Requirements
Implications
Related Postulates
Key Message
Diagnose first. Classify afterwards.