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Quality Data, Quality Care: Unlocking the Language of SNOMED CT in the Electronic Health Record

 

Rationale - In order to enable the consistent interpretation of patient records, the national analysis of data and the minimisation of clinical risk, a structured clinical terminology is required which will allow healthcare professionals to communicate effectively across the National Care Records Service (NCRS). Using a structured terminology allows the clinician to express and communicate meaning in an accurate manner; therefore reducing the potential for differing interpretation of information and reduction of error when accessed in a different location (within and across organisations).

SNOMED CT was created by clinicians for clinicians and is continuously evolving to encompass changes in clinical practice. It is an international healthcare industry standard; used in many countries and has been selected as the language of the NCRS. In its native form,
SNOMED CT has the capacity to allow clinical staff to create complex clinical statements; highly specific and rich in context. However, the electronic systems we are using today and in the near future will need to develop accordingly to enable the maximum utilisation of SNOMED CT In the meantime, there is much to learn regarding the effective use of SNOMED CT.

 

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