title: Planned NLM/AHCPR large-scale vocabulary test: using UMLS technology to determine the extent to which controlled vocabularies cover terminology needed for health care and public health.
abstract: The National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) are sponsoring a test to determine the extent to which a combination of existing health-related terminologies covers vocabulary needed in health information systems. The test vocabularies are the 30 that are fully or partially represented in the 1996 edition of the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) Metathesaurus, plus three planned additions: the portions of SNOMED International not in the 1996 Metathesaurus Read Clinical Classification, and the Logical Observations Identifiers, Names, and Codes (LOINC) system. These vocabularies are available to testers through a special interface to the Internet-based UMLS Knowledge Source Server. The test will determine the ability of the test vocabularies to serve as a source of controlled vocabulary for health data systems and applications. It should provide the basis for realistic resource estimates for developing and maintaining a comprehensive "standard" health vocabulary that is based on existing terminologies.
authors.affiliation: National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA. blh@nlm.nih.gov
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Humphreys
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Hole
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: McCray
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fitzmaurice
mesh_terms: D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008490:Medical Informatics; D009317:National Library of Medicine (U.S.); D011634:Public Health; D017432:Unified Medical Language System; D014481:United States; D016270:United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; D018875:Vocabulary, Controlled