Release of SNOMED CT

Development, Quality Assurance and Release

SNOMED CT is continuously updated to meet the needs of users around the world. Revisions to the international version of SNOMED CT are released twice a year. Each release includes the core of the terminology (concepts, descriptions, and relationships), together with works to support the implementation and use of SNOMED CT, including subsets, cross maps to existing classifications and coding schemes, and an extensive set of guidelines. The January 2008 release included over 311,000 active concepts.

These updates are driven by users of the terminology. Examples include refinements to descriptions, re-modeling of concepts, or the addition of new concepts. Prior to release, the SNOMED CT content undergoes a clinical quality assurance process. A preliminary version is then pre-released to members for broader review before the final files are generated and distributed.

Improvements to SNOMED CT

Just as our knowledge about health and health care is constantly evolving, so too are terminologies in this domain. As mentioned, the number of concepts in SNOMED CT is growing. A continuous “cleaning up” process also takes place; from 2002 to 2008 approximately 20,000 concepts were deactivated because they were duplicates, outdated, ambiguous, etc. The quality of the descriptions is also improving. For example, more concepts now have sufficient logic definitions – particularly those in the disorders and procedures hierarchies.

You can assist your colleagues around the world in the ongoing development and maintenance of SNOMED CT by becoming a member of IHTSDO’s Working Groups and Special Interest Groups; by participating in discussions on the Collaborative Space and at face-to-face meetings; or by submitting requests for specific additions or changes to the standard. We also encourage you to share your experiences of using the standard through the Members’ Operational Liaison Forum, the Affiliate Forum, and at local forums and events organized by IHTSDO’s members.



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About SNOMED CT Release of SNOMED CT Licensing Namespaces History of SNOMED CT Request Submission Quality Assurance Tooling	Release of SNOMED CT Development, Quality Assurance and Release SNOMED CT is continuously updated to meet the needs of users around the world. Revisions to the international version of SNOMED CT are released twice a year. Each release includes the core of the terminology (concepts, descriptions, and relationships), together with works to support the implementation and use of SNOMED CT, including subsets, cross maps to existing classifications and coding schemes, and an extensive set of guidelines. The January 2008 release included over 311,000 active concepts. These updates are driven by users of the terminology. Examples include refinements to descriptions, re-modeling of concepts, or the addition of new concepts. Prior to release, the SNOMED CT content undergoes a clinical quality assurance process. A preliminary version is then pre-released to members for broader review before the final files are generated and distributed. Improvements to SNOMED CT Just as our knowledge about health and health care is constantly evolving, so too are terminologies in this domain. As mentioned, the number of concepts in SNOMED CT is growing. A continuous “cleaning up” process also takes place; from 2002 to 2008 approximately 20,000 concepts were deactivated because they were duplicates, outdated, ambiguous, etc. The quality of the descriptions is also improving. For example, more concepts now have sufficient logic definitions – particularly those in the disorders and procedures hierarchies. You can assist your colleagues around the world in the ongoing development and maintenance of SNOMED CT by becoming a member of IHTSDO’s Working Groups and Special Interest Groups; by participating in discussions on the Collaborative Space and at face-to-face meetings; or by submitting requests for specific additions or changes to the standard. We also encourage you to share your experiences of using the standard through the Members’ Operational Liaison Forum, the Affiliate Forum, and at local forums and events organized by IHTSDO’s members.