Medical terminology coding systems and medicolegal death investigation data: searching for a standardized method of electronic coding at a statewide medical examiner's office.

Medical examiner and coroner reports are a rich source of data for epidemiologic research. To maximize the utility of this information, medicolegal death investigation data need to be electronically coded. In order to determine the best option for coding, we evaluated four different options (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT], International Classification of Disease [ICD] coding, Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms [SNOMED CT], and an in-house system), then conducted internal and external needs assessments to determine which system best met the needs of a centralized, statewide medical examiner's office.