Supporting SNOMED CT Implementation

SNOMED Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) is internationally recognised as the leading clinical terminology. By enabling more consistent representation of clinical information it offers many benefits to the delivery of health care. However, these benefits can only be realised by appropriate implementation of well-designed SNOMED CT enabled information systems.

A code system acts a little like the gearbox of a car. While a gearbox applies the power of the engine to the wheels, a coding system enables data that is entered and stored to be applied to the requirements for retrieval and reuse. The design of SNOMED CT includes many features that enhance its ability to perform this role. However, even the most advanced gearbox is only useful when it is used in a machine that does something useful. Similarly the key to delivering the potential benefits of SNOMED CT is effective implementation.

The Clinical Information Consultancy (CIC) is internationally recognised as a leading source of specialist knowledge of SNOMED CT and related standards. We can help you implement SNOMED CT in ways that make appropriate use of its strengths to enable pragmatic progress towards realisable benefits.

At the Clinical Information Consultancy we have extensive knowledge and experience of:

• Requirements for entering, storing, retrieving and using clinical information
• Ways in which the design of SNOMED CT assists in meeting these requirements
• Other essential components of applications that need to work with SNOMED CT to deliver useful implementations
• Standards that provide the key to interoperability between different systems

As the authors of CliniClue (the most widely used standalone SNOMED CT browser) we have a wealth of knowledge to share. We can assist you with detailed training, mentoring and consultancy support for your SNOMED CT implementation project.

The CliniClue is freeware - it is an illustration of our understanding of SNOMED CT and our passion for practical solutions to address the needs for SNOMED CT enabled clinical systems.

Our business is based around providing our knowledge and expertise to organisations that need to implement SNOMED CT in practical systems to meet real world requirements. We are equally happy to assist you with development or use of your own software or - if you prefer - we can work with you to produce custom add-ons for CliniClue to meet your needs.

Our expertise extends well beyond our own browser and is based on:

• SNOMED CT Design Team involvement
  • As a member of the SNOMED CT Design Team (1999-2007) David Markwell has a profound understanding of SNOMED CT - including some of its current weaknesses. Using our intimate knowledge of these weaknesses, the reasons for them and likely future changes to address them, we can assist implementers with advice on workarounds that maximise current and future benefits.
• Worldwide provision of a wide range of SNOMED CT training courses
  • Teaching is also a learning experience; our extensive itinerary of SNOMED CT related teaching engagements over the past eight years has broadened our understanding of key challenges perceived by implementers at national, technical and end-user levels.
• Long term involvement in clinical informatics
  • Founded in 1989 CIC Ltd has a 20 year track record of dedicated work in support of person-centric clinical systems at local, national and international levels.
• Participation in development of HL7 and CEN standards
  • SNOMED CT is just one of several health informatics related standards to which we have contributed.
• Development of SNOMED CT technical implementation guidance
  • Many of the SNOMED CT specifications and implementation guides now published by the IHTSDO are directly based on original documents developed by David Markwell, while working as a consultant to the SNOMED International Editorial Board (2002-2007).
• Continuing involvement in IHTSDO Working Groups including:
  • IHTSDO Implementation and Innovation Committee
  • IHTSDO Concept Model SIG
  • IHTSDO Implementation SIG
  • IHTSDO Affiliates Forum

CIC Ltd provides:

• Training, mentoring and skills transfer
• Short and longer term expert input to initiate and support implementation projects
• Customised specifications and developments
  
  We invite you to:

• Find out more about CIC Ltd, our experience and the services we provide by exploring our website
• Download our freeware SNOMED CT browser from CliniClue
• Invite us to help your organisation make effective use of SNOMED CT:
  • Let us know requirements using our contact form.