Julie M. Green, MS, DVM Veterinary Medical Informatics VMRCVM – Virginia Tech Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine The Changing Face of Terminology How to Keep Up
Why does terminology change? Terminologies are incomplete Medicine covers a large body of knowledge Missing content is inevitable Veterinary content is low priority Errors are made Medicine evolves Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Why does terminology change? Terminologies are incomplete Errors are made ‘To Err Is Human’…to correct is inevitable Medicine evolves Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Why does terminology change? Terminologies are incomplete Errors are made Medicine evolves Medical advancements Expanding knowledge Reevaluation of current thinking Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
How does terminology change? Minor changes Concept additions Concept retirements Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
How does terminology change? Minor changes Considered “minor” if changes do NOT affect the meaning of the concept Ex. Spelling corrections Concept additions Concept retirements Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
How does terminology change? Minor changes Concept additions New content, self-explanatory Concept retirements Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
How does terminology change? Minor changes Concept additions Concept retirements Concepts should NEVER be DELETED Mark content as retired or inactive Relationships between retired content and potential replacements Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
What does this mean? Change is a comin’… Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Is your system ready?
What does this mean? Depends on type of implementation –Direct implementation –Mapping or translation Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Direct Implementation Use content in the interface Users directly interact with terminology Practicality requires subsets Must be kept “in synch” with changes Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae Subcutaneus nodule Diabetes mellitus Sample from a “Findings” Subset
Direct Implementation Minor changes Text changes Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae Subcutaneus nodule Diabetes mellitus Sample “Findings” Subset Correct Subcutaneus
Direct Implementation Minor changes Text changes Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae Subcutaneus nodule Diabetes mellitus Sample “Findings” Subset ComponentidChangetypeReleaseDate SCT_componenthistory table row Correct Subcutaneus
Direct Implementation Minor changes Text changes –Replace text of term used Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae Subcutaneous nodule Diabetes mellitus Sample “Findings” Subset ComponentidChangetypeReleaseDate SCT_componenthistory table row
Direct Implementation Additions (to subsets) User need drives additions to subsets –System should accept new content requests –Centralized content requests desirable Experts should decide appropriateness Central authority can then submit request to SNOMED –Temporary code for storage until concept is added to SNOMED Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Direct Implementation Additions (to SNOMED) New terms become available in the standard Review based on –User requests –Subject Matter Expertise Choose additions based on review Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Direct Implementation Additions Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae Subcutaneus nodule Diabetes mellitus TempcodeElbow arthritis Sample “Findings” Subset User requested: Elbow arthritis (added to subset)
Direct Implementation Additions Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Sample “Findings” Subset ComponentidChangetypeReleaseDate SCT_componenthistory table row New term added: (to SNOMED) Elbow arthritis Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae Subcutaneus nodule Diabetes mellitus TempcodeElbow arthritis
Direct Implementation Additions If temporary “placeholder” codes were created in the subset, these need to be updated with new SCTID Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae Subcutaneus nodule Diabetes mellitus Arthritis of elbow Sample “Findings” Subset ComponentidChangetypeReleaseDate SCT_componenthistory table row
Direct Implementation Retirements Retirement = inactivate term in standard –Ambiguous, Duplicate, Knowledge changed Must be replaced in subsets Record of “referrals” must be kept –Used for legacy data retrieval/analysis Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Direct Implementation Retirements Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae Subcutaneus nodule Diabetes mellitus Arthritis of elbow (disorder) Sample “Findings” Subset ComponentidChangetypeReleaseDateStatus SCT_componenthistory table row Retired as duplicate
Direct Implementation Retirements Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae Subcutaneus nodule Diabetes mellitus Arthritis of elbow (disorder) Sample “Findings” Subset ComponentidChangetypeReleaseDateStatus SCT_componenthistory table row Retired as duplicate
relationshipidConceptid1Relationshiptypeconceptid2Characteristic type (Same As) Direct Implementation Retirements Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae Subcutaneus nodule Diabetes mellitus Arthritis of elbow (disorder) Sample “Findings” Subset SCT_relationships table row Replace with Friedlander’s bacillus infection
relationshipidConceptid1Relationshiptypeconceptid2Characteristic type (Same As) Direct Implementation Retirements Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Friedlander’s bacillus infection Subcutaneus nodule Diabetes mellitus Arthritis of elbow (disorder) Sample “Findings” Subset SCT_relationships table row Replace with Friedlander’s bacillus infection
relationshipidConceptid1Relationshiptypeconceptid2Characteristic type (Same As) Direct Implementation Retirements Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Previous Subset ConceptReplacement Concept (Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae) (Friedlander’s bacillus infection) Subset Replacement History SCT_relationships table row Keep Local History Of Replacements
Mapping Proprietary interface lists –Familiar “pick lists” Interface lists are “transformed” in the background Users “insulated” from standard terminology Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine CODEPick List TermSCTID [Provided for demo only, not stored] KLEBKlebsiella infection Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae NODSNodule, SQ Subcutaneus nodule DIBMDiabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus Sample Mapping table
Mapping When changes occur… Mappings must be reviewed and updated As users create new local terms, maps must be created If mappings are used to drive queries, retirement history must be utilized. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Mapping Minor changes Text changes only affect the standard terminology Mapping is still accurate. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine CODEPick List TermSCTID KLEBKlebsiella infection Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae NODSNodule, SQ Subcutaneus nodule DIBMDiabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus Sample Mapping table Correct Subcutaneus
Mapping Additions Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine User requested: Elbow arthritis CODEPick List TermSCTID KLEBKlebsiella infection Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae NODSNodule, SQ Subcutaneous nodule DIBMDiabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus ARTEArthritis, Elbow Sample Mapping table
Mapping Additions Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine CODEPick List TermSCTID KLEBKlebsiella infection Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae NODSNodule, SQ Subcutaneous nodule DIBMDiabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus ARTEArthritis, Elbow Sample Mapping table ComponentidChangetypeReleaseDate SCT_componenthistory table row New term added: Elbow arthritis
Mapping Additions Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine CODEPick List TermSCTID KLEBKlebsiella infection Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae NODSNodule, SQ Subcutaneous nodule DIBMDiabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus ARTEArthritis, Elbow Arthritis of elbow (disorder) Sample Mapping table ComponentidChangetypeReleaseDate SCT_componenthistory table row New mapping: Elbow arthritis
ComponentidChangetypeReleaseDateStatus Mapping Retirements Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine CODEPick List TermSCTID KLEBKlebsiella infection Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae NODSNodule, SQ Subcutaneous nodule DIBMDiabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus ARTEArthritis, Elbow Arthritis of elbow (disorder) Sample Mapping table SCT_componenthistory table row Retired as duplicate
Mapping Retirements Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine CODEPick List TermSCTID KLEBKlebsiella infection Friedlander’s bacillus infection NODSNodule, SQ Subcutaneous nodule DIBMDiabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus ARTEArthritis, Elbow Arthritis of elbow (disorder) Sample Mapping table relationshipidConceptid1Relationshiptypeconceptid2Characteristic type (Same As) SCT_relationships table row Replace with Friedlander’s bacillus infection
relationshipidConceptid1Relationshiptypeconceptid2Characteristic type (Same As) Mapping Retirements Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Previous Mapping ConceptReplacement Concept (Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae) (Friedlander’s bacillus infection) Mapping Replacement History SCT_relationships table row Keep Local History Of Replacements
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Assumption: standard terminology is the basis for queries –Relationships in terminology used to determine what codes to search for Ex: Retrieve all cases of Enterobacter infections (Enterobacteriaceae) Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Retrieve all cases of Enterobacter infections (Enterobacteriaceae) Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes that “fit the bill”. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes that “fit the bill”. Is there a single code that is equivalent to your criteria? –Infection due to Enterobacteriaceae (disorder) [ ] Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes that “fit the bill”. What about cases that are coded with specific bacteria? –Descendents of Infection due to Enterobacteriaceae (disorder) [ ] Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes that “fit the bill”. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Infection due to Enterobacteriaceae (disorder) Coliform septicemia (disorder) Friedlander's bacillus infection (disorder) Infection due to Escherichia coli (disorder) Salmonella infection (disorder) … * Sample of 5 displayed out of 135 descendents
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes that “fit the bill”. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Infection due to Enterobacteriaceae (disorder) Coliform septicemia (disorder) Friedlander's bacillus infection (disorder) Infection due to Escherichia coli (disorder) Salmonella infection (disorder) … * Sample of 5 displayed out of 135 descendents Was a replacement
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Retrieve all cases of Enterobacter infections (Enterobacteriaceae) Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes that “fit the bill”. Step 2: Determine all LEGACY codes that “fit the bill”. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Step 2: Determine all LEGACY codes that “fit the bill”. Query your current list of diagnosis codes for those with replacement history in your system. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Friedlander's bacillus infection (disorder) Previous Subset ConceptReplacement Concept (Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae) (Friedlander’s bacillus infection)
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Step 2: Determine all LEGACY codes that “fit the bill”. Add previous Concepts to the list of codes. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Infection due to Enterobacteriaceae (disorder) Coliform septicemia (disorder) Friedlander's bacillus infection (disorder) Infection due to Escherichia coli (disorder) Salmonella infection (disorder) … * Sample of 5 displayed out of 135 descendents Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Retrieve all cases of Enterobacter infections (Enterobacteriaceae) Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes that “fit the bill”. Step 2: Determine all LEGACY codes that “fit the bill”. Step 3: Query database for records stored using the codes found. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting New content additions can also affect quality of querying. Ex: Retrieve cases diagnosed with Elbow arthritis Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Retrieve cases diagnosed with Elbow arthritis Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes that “fit the bill”. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes that “fit the bill”. Is there a single code that is equivalent to your criteria? –Arthritis of elbow (disorder) [ ] Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes that “fit the bill”. Arthritis of elbow (disorder) [ ] and all descendents Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Arthritis of elbow (disorder) Bacterial arthritis of elbow (disorder) Reactive arthropathy of elbow (disorder) …* Sample of 3 displayed out of 12 descendents
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes that “fit the bill”. What about BEFORE the addition? Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Arthritis of elbow (disorder) Bacterial arthritis of elbow (disorder) Reactive arthropathy of elbow (disorder) …* Sample of 3 displayed out of 12 descendents Was an addition
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes that “fit the bill”. Cases stored BEFORE the addition may have been coded in a different way. –Elbow joint inflamed? –Arthropathy of elbow? Epidemiologist/clinician should be aware –They decide what “other” codes to add (or not) Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Retrieve cases diagnosed with Elbow arthritis Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes that “fit the bill”. Step 2: Check for Additions, note the date, and consult Epidemiologist/clinician. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Retrieve cases diagnosed with Elbow arthritis Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes. Step 2: Check for Additions, note the date, and consult Epidemiologist/clinician. Step 3: Determine all LEGACY codes. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Retrieve cases diagnosed with Elbow arthritis Step 1: Determine all diagnosis codes. Step 2: Check for Additions, note the date, and consult Epidemiologist/clinician. Step 3: Determine all LEGACY codes. Step 4: Query database for records stored using the codes found. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Both implementations need HISTORY –Difference - where the final queries are run –Mapping determine applicable SNOMED concepts query translation table to retrieve local codes query records database to retrieve cases –Direct Implementation determine applicable SNOMED concepts query records database to retrieve cases Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Legacy…Querying…Reporting Retirements –Need to have replacements stored Additions –Need to record date of addition Query/Reporting functions MUST account for changes made. Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Changing Terminology SUMMARY: Changes WILL happen Systems MUST be designed for terminology change History of changes are important to accurate retrieval and analysis Veterinary Medical Informatics – Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine