Iceland

The Directorate of Health in Iceland makes SNOMED CT available throughout Iceland for use in electronic health records, health research, and other applications. Users of the terminology in Iceland will also have access to new resources as they are developed.

The eHealth policy in Iceland includes the implementation of an integrated EHR at a national level, which is securely accessible to authorized professionals at point of care. Furthermore, it allows people in the general public access to their own health data. This is achieved by integration of regional databases and the development of a national patient portal. The application, combined with information from the national prescription database, provides physicians with a much better overview of healthcare provided to their patients. Hence, this supports increased patient safety and quality of healthcare. Current plans to improve clinical documentation and national reporting include the implementation of a standardized terminology for X- ray diagnostics, documentation of symptoms, and physical examination. The product of a national collaboration between the responsible partners for classifications and terminologies, these plans are in coherence with future EHR development plans at a national level.

A nationwide surveillance system on communicable diseases for the office of the Chief Epidemiologist of Iceland has been in use for some years. Recently, the system was updated to allow for real-time reporting on communicable diseases. SNOMED CT terminology is utilized in the system to ensure correct registration of pathogens.

More information about SNOMED CT in Iceland can be accessed here: www.landlaeknir.is