Ways to reduce the obstacles to implementing medical coding in hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

This study aims to reduce the obstacles to the application of medical coding in hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially King Khalid Hospital in Najran.
This study is based on the descriptive analytical approach, where the community is represented by all employees in King Khalid Hospital in Najran, numbering (1689) and a sample of 169 research items selected using the simple random sample method. A questionnaire was used as the main tool for the study and the statistical analysis program (SPSS).
Results: One of the most prominent obstacles to the application of medical coding in Saudi hospitals, especially King Khalid Hospital in Najran, is the significant shortage of human cadres specialized in the coding process, the weakness of the training process and training methods, and the medical records need to be reorganized and arranged. It is worth noting that the most prominent strategies necessary to implement medical coding in Saudi hospitals, especially in King Khalid Hospital in Najran, according to the study sample’s point of view, were represented in paying attention to medical coding, attracting specialized and experienced cadres, and working on developing medical record systems and programs, in addition to establishing specialized infrastructures, platforms, and networks. There are no statistically significant differences in the study sample’s responses regarding the obstacles to implementing medical coding in Saudi hospitals, especially in King Khalid Hospital in Najran, according to the variables (gender - age - years of experience). There are differences in the study sample’s responses regarding the obstacles to implementing medical coding in Saudi hospitals, especially in King Khalid Hospital in Najran, according to the variables (job - educational level - number of courses related to working on the medical coding program). Recommendations: Training of medical personnel: Comprehensive training programs should be provided for medical and administrative personnel on the importance of medical coding and how to use it correctly. Developing a unified system: It is necessary to develop a unified coding system that is in line with international standards such as ICD-10 and CPT, which facilitates the exchange of information between hospitals. Improving information technology: Investing in modern information technology to ensure the speed and accuracy of the coding process, including the use of specialized software. Patient awareness: Educating patients about the importance of medical coding and its impact on the quality of health care, which enhances cooperation between the hospital and patients. Keywords: Medical coding, International Classification of Diseases, Medical Classification of Procedures, Health insurance, Medical procedure codes, International Medical Code.