Table 3.7.4-1 summarizes change management issues that may affect a SNOMED CT extension when an edition on which their extension depends is updated. It also outlines approaches to checking for and resolving issues arising from particular types of changes.
The changes outlined in this section must be applied when an extension module is updated to align with the new versions of the modules on which it depends. Before an updated extension module is released, updates must also be made to its module dependencies. Please refer to the Extensions Practical Guide for more detailed information about extension modules and the 4.3.2.4.2 Module Dependency Reference Set.
Table 3.7.4-1: Impact of Version Updates on Extensions
| Change Type | Significance | Examples of Potential Impact | Change Management Actions |
| Addition of a concept | MODERATE | A new concept in a module on which the extension depends may have the same meaning as a concept already in the extension. | Consider inactivating the extension concept and creating a historical association from this to the concept concept in the updated module. |
| A new concept in a module on which the extension depends may be a supertype of a concept in the extension. | Classification will automatically create new subtype relationships that can be inferred from the stated definition of the extension concept. However, if the definition of an extension concept omits an axiom that is present in the new concept this may not occur. Therefore, new concepts should also be reviewed to identify additional cases whether a new concept should subsume extension concept. Where appropriate, additional axioms should be added to the extension concept to enable accurate classification. | ||
| If the extension includes a language reference set, additions will be required to represent the acceptability of the descriptions associated with the concept. | If necessary add new descriptions to represent this concept in a language or dialect supported by the extension. If the extension includes a language reference set, add references to the fully specified name and preferred term. | ||
| Inactivation of a concept | HIGH | A component or reference set member in the extension may refer to a concept that has been inactivated in a module on which the extension depends.
| OWL reference set rows must be updated to ensure they do not include references to inactive concepts.
|
| Addition of a description | NONE | No impact unless the extension includes a language reference sets. | - |
MODERATE | If the extension includes a language reference set this may need to be updated. | If the extension includes a language reference set, consider adding the new description as an acceptable term. | |
| Inactivation of a description | LOW | References to an inactivated descriptions in any reference sets may be affected. | Review and if necessary update reference sets the refer to descriptions that are now inactive. |
MODERATE | If the description is referred to by a language reference set member in the extension module changes may be required to ensure that each concept has an active preferred term and an active fully specified name. If a description that serves one of these roles is inactivated, a new active description must be indicates as its replacement. | If an inactive description is referred to by an active member of a language reference set in the extension, that reference set member should be inactivated. If that language reference set member has the acceptability value "preferred" and refers to an inactive description with type synonym or fully specified name a new active member must be added to refer to an active description of the same type as "preferred". | |
| Changes to concept definitions | NONE | No impact unless the extension includes additional clinical concepts. | - |
| HIGH | If the extension includes additional clinical concepts these will need to be reclassified. | If the extension includes additional clinical concepts review the impact of the following on definitions in of concepts in the extension:
If necessary update definitions in of concepts in the extension to align with changes in the modules on which it depends. Then reclassify the terminology. |
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