ICD9-CM Reference Software

HierCode

Software Design

The software design includes several key elements.

Hierarchical Listbox

A hierarchical listbox contains the data from ICD9-CM. The listbox, by offering a flexible interface, ensures that the user, with just a few "clicks" of the mouse, can adjust the data for optimal viewing.

Navigation Aides

Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4

Navigation aides automate the task of moving among the data from ICD9-CM. Several such aides are associated with the Alphabetic Index. They allow the user, first, to look up a medical term just by typing it and, second, to cross-reference the term simply by pressing a button. Likewise, several navigation aides are associated with the Tabular List. They allow the user to look up a diagnostic code just by typing it. Alternatively, they allow the user, after typing a key word (or phrase), to learn instantly the number of occurrences of the word and then, if desired, to be shown in serial fashion each of the occurrences.

Special Tools

Figure 5

In the Enhanced Edition of HierCode™ software, special tools are present for creating, editing and exporting custom lists. Depending on need, the lists may be displayed locally, or they may be exported to Microsoft Excel, in which case several formatting options are available. These options provide that the lists, when they arrive in Excel, will appear either as outlines or tables and will be suited for print either as full-page or pocket-sized documents or, alternatively, will be suited for display on a handheld data assistant (e.g. Palm).