Workgroup for External Cause Coding Improvement 

The Workgroup for External Cause Coding Improvement (WECCI) is a forum led by CSTE and includes CDC, STIPDA, ASTHO, PHDSC, APHA, and other injury epidemiologists. WECCI hosts monthly conference calls and members have outlined a comprehensive agenda to improve access to quality external cause codes for injury, document the extent of deficiencies in external cause coding, and prevent federal pre-emption of external cause coding mandate with implementation of ICD10. As part of the agenda, the group developed an assessment to further specify the current and planned activities of state injury programs in their attempt to get quality data from providers, and has submitted position statements to several organizations regarding the use of external cause codes.

Members have partnered with CDC/NCIPC, CDC/NCHS, and other partners to produce an MMWR Recommendations and Reports about external cause coding [released on March 27, 2008].  The group has also has worked with partners to conduct surveys, such as the survey on external cause coding in states (How States Are Collecting and Using Cause of Injury Data: 2004 Update to the 1997 Report).  WECCI is currently working to coordinate the efforts of partner organizations to increase momentum to address deficiencies in external cause coding.