SNOMED - SCT worldwide

Release information

SNOMED International maintains a rigorous product release schedule. Managing the release cycle encompasses the planning, scheduling and controlled deployment of new and changed release artefacts into production environments.

The detailed management of all parts of the delivery lifecycle of hardware, software and data releases, enables the delivery of high quality products and services.

Release schedule

Namespace identifiers

While SNOMED CT is global in scope, it can be adapted to a country's requirements and each Member can develop its own terminology extension, or Member-specific translation. Visit the SNOMED CT Browser to access SNOMED CT national extensions.

If you are a Member interested in creating your own content or extension, you will need a Namespace Identifier so your content can be associated with you.

Namespace application form

To get a Namespace Identifier, please fill out a
Namespace Identifier Application Form and email it to info@snomed.org.

Namespace identification policy

Access the Namespace Allocation Policy

Namespace identifier registry

Translations

Apart from the English language primary release format of SNOMED CT (the SNOMED CT International release), a Spanish translation is also available and managed directly by SNOMED International.

As SNOMED International's membership continues to grow, many more non-English speaking countries are joining and the desire for translations is increasing. For some, the need for translation may be a barrier to adopting SNOMED CT and becoming a Member of SNOMED International. We therefore support Member translations of SNOMED CT through guidance and financial support.

There are also a number of translations that are managed by our Members. These can be accessed through the relevant National Release Center.

Member national extensions and translations

Australia: SCT AU, National Extension - Australian English
Canada: SCT CA, National Extension - English and French
Denmark: SCT DK, National Extension - Danish
Netherlands: SCT NL, National Extension - Dutch
Spain: SCT ES, National Extension - European Spanish
Sweden: SCT SE, National Extension - Swedish
United Kingdom: SCT UK, National Extension - UK English
United States: SCT US, National Extension

Translation user group

SNOMED CT translation guidelines

Toolkit for evaluating SCT translation quality

Other terminologies and code systems

SNOMED CT is a terminology that can cross-map to other international terminologies, classifications and code systems. Maps are associations between particular concepts or terms in one system and concepts or terms in another system that have the same (or similar) meaning.

The purpose of mapping is to provide a link between one international terminology, classification and code system and another in order to obtain a number of benefits. These include:

Data reuse, that is, SNOMED CT based clinical data can be reused to report statistical and management data using other terminologies, classifications and code systems
Retention of the value of data when migrating to newer database formats and schemas
Avoidance of entering data multiple times and the associated risk of increased cost and errors
Interoperability amongst international terminologies, classifications and code systems

Mapping work

The SNOMED CT to ICD-10 map is released on January 31 and July 31 as a derivative of the SNOMED CT International Release. This map is a directed set of associations from SNOMED CT source concepts to ICD-10 target classification terms. The SNOMED CT source domains for the map are limited to subtypes of 404684003 |clinical finding|, 272379006 |event| and 243796009 |situation with explicit context|.

As of the July 31 2015 release, all SNOMED CT concepts in scope have been mapped. An algorithmic approach was used in the completion of the map. Algorithms have been incorporated into the mapping tool for the July 31 2016 release. SNOMED International welcomes the opportunity to work with organizations or institutions who are interested in undertaking usage validation of the SNOMED CT to ICD-10 map. Please contact info@snomed.org for more information.

SNOMED International also publishes a map between the SNOMED CT International General/Family Practice subset (GP/FP subset) and the International Classification of Primary Care, 2nd Edition (ICPC-2). The GP/FP subset focuses on two semantic data types commonly used in general/family practice electronic health records: Reasons For Encounter (RFEs) and Health Issues.

The SNOMED CT to ICD-9-CM Epidemiological and Statistical Map was deprecated with support effective 31 January 2016 and without support effective July 31 2016. SNOMED International recognizes that some Members and Affiliates continue to use ICD-9-CM. It is important to note that the SNOMED CT to ICD-9-CM Epidemiological and Statistical Map will continue to be available after the deprecation on the SNOMED International Confluence site to any users who wish to access it during their transition to SNOMED CT or ICD-10-CM.

The SNOMED CT to ICD-O maps are released as a simple map reference set in the SNOMED CT International Release. The SNOMED CT source domains for the maps are limited to subtypes of 400177003|Neoplasm and/or hamartoma (morphologic abnormality)| and 91723000|Anatomical structure (body structure)| for ICD-O morphological codes and Topographical codes.

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