International Standard Classification of Diseases (ICD)

Author: National Standardization Administration of China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-10-01
Features: The International Classification for Standards (ICS), also known as the International Classification for Standards, is a standard document classification system developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It is primarily used for the classification, cataloging, ordering, and database construction of international standards, regional standards, national standards, and related standardized documents, thereby promoting the dissemination of international, regional, national, and other standardized documents worldwide. The research team of "Tracking Research on the International Classification for Standards and Its Application in the Dissemination of Standards" in China conducted a systematic study on the original version of ICS. Based on the architecture of the original ICS and in line with China's standardization characteristics, integrating opinions from various professional standardization departments and practical experience in China's standardization work, the Chinese version of "International Classification for Standards (Third Edition)" was developed based on the fourth edition of the original ICS. To facilitate domestic standardization work and enhance coordination in expanding categories, this book adds certain categories and category notes without altering the original classification structure of ICS. The supplementary content has been submitted to ISO as China's modifications to ICS. ICS is a hierarchical classification system consisting of three levels. Level 1 includes 40 standardized professional fields, each of which is further divided into 407 groups (Level 2 categories). Among the 407 Level 2 categories, 134 are further subdivided into 896 subgroups (Level 3 categories). The International Classification for Standards uses numerical codes. Level 1 and Level 3 categories are represented by two digits, while Level 2 categories are represented by three digits, with solid dots separating the classification numbers at each level. Some Level 2 and Level 3 categories in ICS include scope notes and/or reference notes. Generally, scope notes list the topics covered by a specific Level 2 or Level 3 category or provide definitions for them; reference notes indicate the relevance of a specific Level 2 or Level 3 category's topic to other categories.