WHO's Major Classification Systems Available as FHIR Packages

Details

Driving the digitalization of the healthcare sector, the German federal government has made three central WHO classifications—ICD-10-WHO, ICF, and ICD-O-3—available in standardized FHIR format. These terminologies have been published on the Central Terminology Server and can be utilized for applications such as the electronic patient record (ePA). These FHIR-based terminology packages enable structured and interoperable use of classifications in digital health systems, particularly for report transmission or electronic documentation. The final released FHIR packages are based on a public commentary process conducted from May 22 to July 3, 2024, incorporating feedback from experts, industry, and the public. This availability marks a crucial step toward interoperable and cross-sectoral data processing in healthcare, supporting consistent classification and communication of diagnoses, functional impairments, and oncological findings—essential for quality assurance, research, and billing.