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For each of these use cases, the set of acceptable terms and the preferred term for that clinical use can be identified. However, when searching SNOMED CT it is recommended that any term that is considered "acceptable" for use in a given context should be available to support searching for an appropriate concept, while the

Representing a subset of descriptions can be done using a simple reference set, as illustrated in the diagram below. However, other types of reference set types may be feasible if additional features are required, such as specifying which descriptions are preferred or acceptable (language reference set), ordering or prioritizing the descriptions (ordered reference set), annotating the description with some textual information (annotation reference set) or associating the descriptions to other components (association reference set). 

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Language Reference Set

While a simple type reference set can be used for defining a subset of descriptions, a language reference set  is designed to support indication of language and dialect preferences through the addition of the 'acceptability' attribute. This allows preferred and acceptable descriptions to be defined for any context of use, including within a particular country or region, within a clinical specialty or care setting, within an organization or department, or for a specific type of user. 

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The diagram below illustrate the use of language reference sets and show the relation between the language reference set and the description file. Even though three descriptions are specified for the same concept in the description file, the language reference set specifies which of these descriptions are preferred and acceptable within a given language, dialect or organisation. If a description is not referenced in the language reference set, then that particular description can be regarded as not acceptable within the context where the language reference set apply. 

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Benefits of using SNOMED CT as Interface Terminology

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