CACOLA, a flexible coding method for integration of information in cardiologic sub-specialties

A flexible coding method was developed, called CACOLA (cardiology coding language), to be used for the registration of medical information within the fields of the cardiology subspecialties. CACOLA uses the principle of positive multi-item variables. This means that one database variable contains extensive information concerning topics like electrocardiogram description, medication, or diagnosis, using the coding language. The most important advantage of using this method is the standardization of the variables. An example is shown of how information from the coronary care unit in combination with the last outpatient clinic medication is stored in a database using CACOLA as the coding language