Final answer:
Medical coding is the process of translating medical terms into standardized code numbers for diagnostics and procedures, such as ICD codes. These codes facilitate various healthcare processes and ensure proper billing and statistical analysis. The correct term for this translation is medical coding (Option C).
Step-by-step explanation:
The translation of medical terms for diagnoses and procedures into code numbers from standardized code sets is known as medical coding. When a patient is treated for a condition, such as a viral infection, healthcare professionals use the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes to record and communicate medical information. These codes are essential for various aspects of healthcare, including ordering laboratory tests, prescribing treatments, processing claims for insurance reimbursement, and compiling health statistics.
For example, an ICD code for a suspected viral infection might be used by a physician to order specific tests and treatments. Medical laboratories would then utilize that ICD code to identify the necessary tests to confirm the diagnosis. Health-care management systems use this information to ensure that all treatments and lab work align with the suspected virus. Furthermore, medical coders and billers use these codes to ensure the correct procedures are recorded and billed to insurance companies. ICD codes are also vital for vital-records keepers who record causes of death on death certificates and for epidemiologists calculating disease statistics.
To address the original question, the correct answer is C. medical coding.
- Medical laboratories: to identify required tests for diagnosis
- Health-care management systems: for verification of appropriate treatments and lab work