Regenstrief - LOINC

Information models define the logical structure of data, information, and knowledge, and include explicit bindings of standard codes to nodes in the data structure. Experience has shown that both the logical structure and the codes are necessary to allow unambiguous and computable representation of real world data. Because information models are logical models, they are independent of any specific data exchange syntax, and they can be used to automatically generate exchange formats like HL7 V2.X, HL7 C-CDA, and HL7 FHIR. Standard codes are bound to nodes in the data structure, and the meaning of a given code inherits context from its containing model. For instance, if a code for serum glucose concentration is used in an order model it means that a glucose measurement is requested, whereas, if the same code is used in a result model, it is the name of the result of the measurement. Using information models can dramatically reduce the number of codes in a terminology system because it prevents the creation of highly pre coordinated codes; post coordination of more generic codes can be used instead. This session will provide the basics of information modeling, explain its benefits, and provide an introduction to information modeling activities like openEHR, the HL7 Clinical Information Modeling Initiative, and the Graphite S2 approach.