What You Need to Know About AIS Codes and the Changes That Are Coming

What Are AIS Codes and Why Are They Important?

AIS (Abbreviated Injury Scale©) codes were first created by the Association for Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM) in 1969 to classify injuries and their severity. They are widely used in trauma research, epidemiology and in the insurance industry. AIS codes help clinicians, researchers and policymakers to classify and understand the causes and outcomes of injuries, which can ultimately improve patient care and outcomes.

How Are AIS Codes Different from ICD10 Codes?

AIS codes and ICD10 diagnosis codes are not the same, nor a 1 to 1 match. While both are used in healthcare, ICD10 diagnosis codes were developed to classify diagnoses and symptoms for medical billing use. AIS codes were developed to share information on injury type, location and severity. AIS codes are used for various scales when evaluating trauma such as Injury Severity Score (ISS), Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) and A Severity Characterization of Trauma (ASCOT).

What Are the Updates to AIS 2005/2008 Update© Dictionary to AIS2015© Codes?

The 2015 revisions to AIS codes include updates with medical terminology to describe and improve brain injury and spinal cord impairment coding. Additionally, the AAAM updates AIS codes regularly to ensure they reflect current medical knowledge and best practices.

When Will the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Require the Use of AIS2015© Codes?

According to the ACS, incidents occurring after January 1, 2025, will need to be coded with the AIS2015© version. Visit the ACS website's FAQ to learn more about when AIS2015© codes will be required and when AIS2005, Update 2008 will no longer be accepted.

Where Can I Get Training on the New Version of AIS Codes?

The AAAM offers classes for those interested in learning about the new version of AIS codes. Visit the AAAM website to learn more and sign up for a class.

Important Takeaway

It's important to note that not all trauma registry software solutions will be compliant with the requirement to use AIS2015© codes by January 1, 2025. Therefore, it's crucial for users of those systems to seek a trauma registry solution provider that will be compliant with this requirement. By doing so, they can ensure they are using the most up-to-date and accurate injury classification system in order to provide the best possible care for their patients. Get in touch with ImageTrend today to learn more about your options before the January 1, 2025, deadline to be compliant with AIS2015 codes.

29 Feb 2024