The SNOMED RT Procedure Model.
BACKGROUND
SNOMED RT represents a fundamental change from prior versions of SNOMED. The logic-based structure of SNOMED RT enables concepts to be defined more explicitly, providing an opportunity to address inconsistencies and ambiguities present in prior SNOMED concept definitions.


OBJECTIVE
Create a unifying organizational strategy for all SNOMED RT procedures, and remove ambiguities in procedure concept definitions.


METHODS
A comprehensive model of procedures was developed, based on a set of guiding principles and a review of known existing models.


RESULTS
All SNOMED RT procedures are categorized by a common set of "root procedures" (high level atomic actions), and are more explicitly defined by a shared set of defining relationships.


CONCLUSIONS
While the objectives have largely been met, open issues continue to be addressed. The similarity between procedure models of SNOMED RT and the U.K. s Clinical Terms Version 3 is proving to greatly facilitate the full integration of the two terminologies into a merged vocabulary to be known as SNOMED Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT), slated to be released in the near future.
Dolin
R H
RH
Kaiser Permanente, USA. Robert.H.Dolin@kp.org
Spackman
K
K
Abilla
A
A
Correia
C
C
Goldberg
B
B
Konicek
D
D
Lukoff
J
J
Lundberg
C B
CB
D015510:Clinical Medicine / Q000145:classification; D008128:Logic; D018511:Systems Integration; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D018875:Vocabulary, Controlled