What are SNOMED codes?
SNOMED codes are computer-readable clinical terms that provide IT systems with a single shared language. They are the most comprehensive and widely used set of codes for healthcare. All NHS healthcare providers in England should use SNOMED CT to capture clinical terms in electronic patient record systems.
Why use SNOMED codes?
SNOMED codes help ensure data is recorded consistently and accurately, to enable the right information to be given to the right people at the right time. They allow better sharing of information between IT systems, and to make it easier and safer to deliver care, for example, identifying patients for flu vaccinations, gathering data for payments (e.g. QOF) or sharing a patient’s medical history.
What are the different types of SNOMED codes?
SNOMED codes are arranged in a hierarchy/categories to reflect different types of care/actions/statuses.
For example, you can see the variety of codes below related to chickenpox that show the organism vs. the infection vs. exposure vs. vaccine.
Exposure to varicella (event) SCTID: 444453009
Varicella (disorder) SCTID: 38907003
Varicella vaccine (product) SCTID: 9895611000001108
Varicellovirus (organism) SCTID: 80298008
What features utilise SNOMED codes in Accurx?
Users are able to save SNOMED codes back to the medical record (EMIS, S1, Vision) in various parts of the Accurx product, including:
Messages sent to patients (both individual and batch messages)
In Questionnaires (on sending, completing or when providing certain answers)
In messages to other healthcare professionals (i.e. Accumail)
When patients “decline” an appointment in self-book
When saving a note to record from Accurx Scribe
Are other coding languages supported in Accurx?
Accurx uses SNOMED as the preferred coding language, but we recognise that other codes are available, such as CTV3 and Read codes. These codes are specifically “mapped” by the medical record provider from the SNOMED codes that get saved to the record, so when you choose a SNOMED code to save in a system that uses CTV3 or Read codes, it is advised that you first test to see which code will save back to the record before saving codes related to care for your patients.
How does Accurx decide which SNOMED codes to support?
Accurx maintains a subset of codes related to the features described above. For Accurx built Questionnaires and message templates, we try to choose codes that are supported by all the medical systems we integrate with, and that are reflective of the information being communicated, and where possible, valid for specific initiatives e.g. QOF.
This list of supported codes is continually updated based on user requests, so we always strive to support the codes healthcare professionals need when using our software.
How do I make a request to add a SNOMED code to Accurx?
Users can make requests for additional SNOMED codes here. Every month, we gather the requests, test the codes in each of our integrated medical records, and after clinical review for appropriateness, the new codes are incorporated. You can view a list of our supported codes here.
Why is it important to select the right SNOMED code?
Using the correct code ensures data is recorded consistently and accurately, but there are also many co-dependencies:
IT systems and electronic medical records often react and prompt based on clinical information - for example, to help make sure a patient with X diagnosis is offered Y intervention, or checking a code for an allergy when a new medication is added.
When summaries of patient records are shared, or records are transferred between healthcare organisations or software systems, accurate coded information is vital to ensuring the data is complete and comprehensive.
Identification of patients for long-term condition management, vaccination and other proactive healthcare campaigns relies on accurately coded information
National statistics and monitoring of healthcare delivery are based on appropriately coded healthcare information (and this includes things such as monitoring QOF achievement for GP practices, or seeing the national uptake of various vaccinations)
An incorrect or omitted code in the medical record, beyond data inaccuracy, can result in:
A patient being excluded from care - for example, if a patient is accidentally coded as having received an intervention when they haven’t, or a code is missed, they may be excluded from subsequent invitations for that care
A patient inappropriately receiving incorrect care - for example, if a patient has a diagnosis or disorder coded in error, they may receive treatment inappropriately
National statistical errors - for example, if patients are coded as having received a vaccination in error, national statistics (which use data in the medical record) will be incorrect
Where can I find out more information on SNOMED codes in general?
You can find out more information on the NHS Clinical coding - SNOMED CT page here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/clinical-coding-snomed-ct/
You can access the UK CT term browser to look for a relevant SNOMED code here:
You can find out more about implementing SNOMED codes, release information & important notices or request changes to SNOMED CT here: https://nhsengland.kahootz.com/connect.ti/t_c_home/view?objectID=17140528
You can get free training on using SNOMED here: https://www.snomed.org/education