Why are coding standards important for promoting consistent high-quality care?

Discussion – Week 3
COLLAPSE
Standardized Coding Systems
As a result of the fragmented nature of the health care system professionals in various specialty areas of medicine have developed their own unique sets of terminology to communicate within that specialty. In the past limited attention has been given to codifying practices in order for them to be understood and utilized across disciplines or through different information technology systems. The implementation of a federally mandated electronic medical records system therefore poses a challenge to nursing professionals and others who must be prepared to utilize standardized codes for the new system. Why are coding standards important for promoting consistent high-quality care?
According to Rutherford (2008 para. 15) Improved communication with other nurses health care professionals and administrators of the institution in which nurses work is a key benefit of using a standardized nursing language. In this Discussion you consider the reasoning behind and the value of standardized codification.