Final answer:
An inpatient, acute-care coder follows the ICD-9-CM coding guidelines set by the WHO. ICD codes are found in medical laboratories and healthcare management systems, being essential for diagnosis confirmation, treatment appropriateness, and insurance billing.
Step-by-step explanation:
An inpatient, acute-care coder must follow official ICD-9-CM coding guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO). The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) facilitates the systematic recording of diseases and treatments and plays a critical role in healthcare management and billing procedures.
Two locations where one would likely find an ICD code include medical laboratories and the health-care management system. Medical laboratories use the ICD codes to determine necessary tests for confirming a diagnosis, while health-care management systems use these codes to ensure the appropriateness of treatments and procedures. Furthermore, medical coders and billers use these codes extensively to process claims and reimbursement processes with insurance companies.