Abstract

This paper describes our review findings on the Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT or SCT) to International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems Version ICD-10 (SCT-ICD10) cross map from the UK's National Health Service (NHS). The review focused on the characteristics of the NHS SCT-ICD10 cross map tables, the use of advices and related codes and the overall meaningfulness of the mapped terms from an outsider's perspective. Our findings raised some questions related to the manner in which the mapped terms were created, how the codes were assigned, the type of documentation and tools needed and ways to ensure the consistency of the map over time. While the NHS cross map represents a major step forward in linking the clinical terminology standard SNOMED CT with the existing classification system ICD-10 for secondary use purposes, further investigations into refining the meaningfulness of the cross map, the logistics of deploying this map in the field and the issues of ongoing maintenance and distribution are needed.