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IHTSDO Newsletter: Q1 2016

IHTSDO's Q1 2016 Newsletter is now available for download: 

 

The application period for Management Board positions is now open. Perhaps you know someone?

Information is available at: 

https://ihtsdo.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/4000004827

The deadline for applications is Friday, 12 August 2016.

If you see any problems, please us know at info@ihtsdo.org.

If you know of any good candidates, please let them know! 

The call for papers deadline for SNOMED CT Expo 2016 is quickly approaching, but there is still time to submit! Join the greatest minds in the world in Wellington, NZ on 27-28 October to share your knowledge and experience.

Submit your paper here.

 

This year's Expo is focusing on practical experience with SNOMED CT. We are looking for proposals for papers or posters that focus on:

Enhancing Clinical Practice with SNOMED CT: Application in clinical settings, clinical research and innovation. This may include such areas as precision medicine, data analytics, decision support etc.    

SNOMED CT Development: Enhancing SNOMED CT as a product in its own right, as well as in conjunction with other international standards, i.e. content development, mappings, description logic etc.

SNOMED CT Solutions: Lessons learnt and benefit realisation achievements from implementers (healthcare organisations, government agencies and the commercial sector).

 

For more information please see the Expo website: http://www.snomedexpo.org/

Or email us: events@ihtsdo.org

 

We are pleased to announce the Hon. Dr. Jonathan Coleman, New Zealand's Minister of Health, will be presenting at SNOMED CT Expo 2016.

Dr. Jonathan Coleman

New Zealand is a charter member of IHTSDO (SNOMED CT's governing organization). Dr Coleman will discuss New Zealand's three year journey to establish a lifetime electronic health record that embraces SNOMED CT for clinical decision support, care coordination and precision medicine.

The international SNOMED CT Expo 2016 will bring together health IT professionals, clinicians, researchers and government representatives from across the world to the picturesque city of Wellington in New Zealand on 27-28.October 2016.

The Expo will showcase how use of the global language of health, SNOMED CT, benefits patients and healthcare professionals from improved health data interoperability, clinical decisions and analysis.

REMINDER: Call for papers closes on April 29th! There is still time to submit your paper for a chance to present in front of an international audience. 

We are also actively soliciting sponsors and exhibitors for the Expo.

For more information please visit the conference website: www.snomedexpo.org.

Collaboration between the most comprehensive, multilingual clinical healthcare terminology and the most widely deployed digital medical imaging standard will benefit users worldwide

IHTSDO and the DICOM Standards Committee today announced a new global licensing agreement for SNOMED CT codes and descriptions to be used in the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard.

The renewable five-year licensing agreement between IHTSDO and DICOM continues the long-standing DICOM policy of using SNOMED terminology, previously established with the SNOMED DICOM Microglossary of 1997 and an agreement with the College of American Pathologists.

  • The SNOMED CT licensing agreement covers the use of a subset of 7,314 SNOMED CT codes and descriptions, including all current SNOMED CT concepts used in the DICOM standard. Other key points from the agreement include the following:
  • The agreed SNOMED CT subset will be updated after each biannual SNOMED CT international release, taking into account changes to SNOMED CT and requests from the DICOM Standards Committee to use additional concepts.
  • The agreed SNOMED CT subset is free for use, both for publication in DICOM as well as by implementers and users of DICOM-compliant products and software globally, without restriction to IHTSDO member countries.
  • If implementers use additional SNOMED CT codes (beyond the scope of the agreed subset), they are subject to SNOMED CT licensing arrangements that may incur a fee in IHTSDO non-member countries.
  • The DICOM standard will be updated to retire and replace concepts that have been inactivated in SNOMED CT.

A full press release is attached below.

For more details on the agreement please visit the IHTSDO and DICOM websites.

SNOMED CT Expo 2016
Trusted, Actionable, Health Information
October 27-28 | Wellington, New Zealand

Join international peers and leaders

 Contribute your insights and experience

SNOMED CT Expo 2016 brings the greatest minds in the world together to discuss the global language of healthcare: SNOMED CT. We are looking for submissions (papers and posters) in the following themes:

· SNOMED CT Solutions

· Enhancing Clinical Practice

· SNOMED CT Development

This is your chance to share your insights and experience with an international audience.

SNOMED CT Expo 2016 is located in New Zealand this year, following on from the success of the previous events held in Sydney, Stockholm, Washington DC, Amsterdam and Montevideo. Kiwis have embarked on a three-year journey to establish a lifetime electronic health record that embraces SNOMED CT for clinical decision support, care coordination and precision medicine.

Conference delegates will include local and international experts and leaders, as well as those who are newer to SNOMED CT and health terminology. 

Click here for full details of paper submissions.

Key Dates:

  • Friday, 29th April (21:00 UTC) – Call for submissions closes (review by Program Committee begins)
  • Monday, 30th May – Proposers informed whether their submissions have been accepted
  • Friday, 24th June – Final abstracts required from presenters (for the Expo program)
  • Monday, 19th September – Final date to receive electronic copies of posters and slide decks (for future publication after the event)

Please visit the SNOMED CT Expo 2016 website for full event details.

Contact us at events@ihtsdo.org if you need any assistance.

We hope to see you in Wellington!

The Production release of the January 2016 SNOMED CT® International Edition is now available from the MLDS distribution site or via our member countries.

All files distributed for the January 2016 International Edition are available from the “January 2016 v1.1” version in the “SNOMED CT International Edition” project, which can be found on the “Release packages” page in MLDS, accessed here:

https://mlds.ihtsdotools.org/#/viewReleases

The SNOMED CT International Edition contains SNOMED CT files in both Release Format 2 (RF2) and Release Format 1 (RF1), separated into distinct packages. The January 2016 release is distributed in two zipped file archives:

• SnomedCT_RF2Release_INT_20160131.zip
• SnomedCT_RF1Release_INT_20160131.zip

If you have any questions about the January 2016 International Edition, please contact IHTSDO at support@ihtsdo.org with “January 2016 International Edition release question” in the subject line.

The role will be the external clinical face of SNOMED CT and will develop and implement a clinical engagement strategy to support SNOMED CT development and adoption. At present this role will be recruited on a part time basis of 16 hrs a week (not 14 as was stated earlier)

THE ROLE

The Head of Clinical Engagement will be the external clinical face of SNOMED CT at conferences and other similar events, will spearhead IHTSDO’s clinical engagement agenda by developing a comprehensive clinical engagement strategy to provide high quality clinical input into the development and adoption of SNOMED CT and other IHTSDO products. Once the strategy is approved, the Head of Clinical Engagement will embark on implementation of the strategy. The role will be part time initially (16 hours per week). However, it is envisaged this area of our business will grow over time and, as such, there will be opportunity to increase involvement to the point where the role will be full time in nature.

We have detailed the full potential scope of this role but, given the part time nature of the initial appointment, there will be a discussion between the CEO and the successful candidate to agree what is achievable within a 16 hour week.

Please click here to download the full job description.

TO APPLY

If you are interested in this opportunity, please forward your resume and a covering letter detailing why you feel you would be suitable for this role, to jobs@ihtsdo.org. If you have any queries, or require further detail, please direct these through this email address also.

This role will operate at Band D – Leadership, and will be remunerated accordingly on a pro rata basis.

Applications for this position will close Friday 12th February 17:00 UTC

Nominations are invited at this time for the post of Vice-Chair of the IHTSDO International Dentistry Special Interest Group (SIG).  The SIG was established to provide advice on new as well as updated Dentistry content in SNOMED CT through projects agreed and prioritized by the IHTSDO.

A new Terms of Reference and an Information sheet for the International Dentistry SIG were produced in 2015 – both can be found at: http://www.ihtsdo.org/participate/special-interest-groups.

The post of Vice-Chair of the IHTSDO International Dentistry SIG is for two years, after which the Vice-Chair will become Chair of the SIG for a further two-year period. Thus the overall term of office is four years. This approach is to ensure succession planning. 

While serving in this role, the elected Vice-Chair is expected to attend International Dentistry SIG meetings and assist the Chair in all aspects of the SIG’s work, in liaison with the IHTSDO. Activity is undertaken through regular phone conferences and the annual IHTSDO Business Meeting in October, if a face-to-face meeting is required. The Vice-Chair should also be willing to assume the responsibilities of Chair if the Chair is not available. 

Nominations, using the form attached, should be sent to Fleur McBriar at fmc@ihtsdo.org by Monday 15th February 2016 (by 23:00 UTC). 

If there are a number of candidates, a process of election will take place and decisions reviewed by the Healthcare Professional Coordination Group before sign-off by the IHTSDO Management Board.  The successful candidate is expected to start immediately upon sign-off.

Official policy information about the Appointment of Leadership of IHTSDO’s Working Groups is attached. The IHTSDO Conflict of Interest Policy (referred to in the nomination form) can be viewed at: http://tinyurl.com/IHTSDOConfOfInterest

 

  

It is with great pleasure that IHTSDO announces the opening of registration for the SNOMED CT Expo 2016, to be held in Wellington, New Zealand this October.

SNOMED CT Expo 2016
October 27th-28th, 2016
Te Papa Museum
Wellington, New Zealand

Please visit the new SNOMED CT Expo 2016 website for full details, including entry fees, the registration link, and updates on the Call for Papers and Expo program.

Click here to download an information sheet about the Expo's great exhibition and sponsorship packages.

Please contact events@ihtsdo.org if you need any assistance.

We hope to see you in Wellington!

Best wishes,

The IHTSDO Events Team

Nominations are invited at this time for the post of Vice-Chair of the IHTSDO International Pathology & Laboratory Medicine (IPaLM) Special Interest Group (SIG).  The SIG was established to provide advice on new, as well as updated, pathology content in SNOMED CT, through projects agreed by the IHTSDO and prioritized as part of the IHTSDO annual work plan.

The IPaLM SIG has been going through a transition period and in 2015 produced new Terms of Reference and an Information sheet – both can be found at http://www.ihtsdo.org/participate/special-interest-groups. Membership is increasing as new topic areas are being addressed which are relevant to the global pathology community
 
The post of Vice-Chair of the IHTSDO IPaLM SIG is for two years, after which the Vice-Chair will become Chair of the SIG for a further two-year period. Thus the overall term of office is four years. This approach is to ensure succession planning. 

While serving in this role, the elected Vice-Chair is expected to attend IPaLM SIG meetings and assist the Chair in all aspects of the SIG’s work, in liaison with the IHTSDO. Activity is undertaken through regular phone conferences and the annual IHTSDO Business Meeting in October, if a face-to-face meeting is required. The Vice-Chair should also be willing to assume the responsibilities of Chair if the Chair is not available.  

Nominations, using the form attached, should be sent to Fleur McBriar at fmc@ihtsdo.org by Monday 8th February 2016 (by 23:00 UTC). 

If there are a number of candidates, a process of election will take place and decisions reviewed by the Healthcare Professional Coordination Group before sign-off by the IHTSDO Management Board.  The successful candidate is expected to start immediately upon sign-off.

Official policy information about the Appointment of Leadership of IHTSDO’s Working Groups is attached. The IHTSDO Conflict of Interest Policy (referred to in the nomination form) can be viewed at: http://tinyurl.com/IHTSDOConfOfInterest

  

IHTSDO is pleased to announce that registration for the forthcoming Business Meeting in London is now open.

The event will take place at the Amba Charing Cross Hotel from the 16th-20th April 2016.

Please visit the IHTSDO website for more information, including the schedule, registration link, and travel details:

http://www.ihtsdo.org/participate/attend-ihtsdo-events/ihtsdo-business-meeting/

We hope to see you in London!

Best wishes,

The IHTSDO Events Team

LONDON, 15 JANUARY 2016
IHTSDO is extremely pleased to announce that Switzerland has officially joined its member family, becoming IHTSDO's 28th Member country. 
This great news is due to the initial efforts that started 4 years ago when Duncan McNeil and David Markwell worked tirelessly to set up an affiliate license agreement. This agreement was the precursor for Switzerland now becoming full members.
The Swiss have worked intensely over the last three years to learn how SNOMED CT can have strong, positive effects on their healthcare environment and on patient care throughout the country. They have developed a forward-thinking SNOMED CT implementation strategy and are now ready to take the next steps towards IHTSDO membership and national SNOMED CT adoption. 
E-Health Suisse has been designated by the Swiss government as the SNOMED CT National Release Center, meaning it will coordinate SNOMED CT adoption for Switzerland and serve as the first point of contact within the country. National membership will enable all users throughout Switzerland to get free access to SNOMED CT. A free license for SNOMED CT in Switzerland is provided by registering at https://mlds.ihtsdotools.org/ch.  
IHTSDO CEO Don Sweete will personally welcome Switzerland as a Member at its first national SNOMED CT event in Bern next week on Thursday 21st January. 
For more information contact E-Health Suisse or info@ihtsdo.org
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About IHTSDO:

IHTSDO – International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation – determines global standards for health terms in order to support the safe, accurate, and effective recording and exchange of health information, an essential part of improving health for humankind. Our experts work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to ensure that SNOMED CT, our world-leading terminology product, is accepted as the common global language for health terms, meeting the expectations of the quality-focused international medical profession within a fast-moving healthcare sector. Operating on a not-for-profit basis, we are committed to maintaining and growing our leadership as the global experts in healthcare terminology. For more information, please visit www.ihtsdo.org.

SNOMED CT© was originally created by the College of American Pathologists.

Media contact:

Name: Anna Adelof

Email: aad@ihtsdo.org          

Telephone: +45-31585100

IHTSDO Newsletter: Q4 2015

IHTSDO's Q4 Newsletter is now available for download: 

 

 

 

Best wishes,

Fleur McBriar

IHTSDO is pleased to announce the publication of the "SNOMED CT Expression Constraint Language Specification and Guide".

A SNOMED CT Expression Constraint is a computable rule that defines a bounded set of clinical meanings. The associated Expression Constraint Language enables intensional definitions to be created for use cases such as terminology binding, intensional reference set definitions, SNOMED CT content queries, and SNOMED CT concept model specifications.

The "SNOMED CT Expression Constraint Language Specification and Guide" defines and describes a formal language for representing SNOMED CT Expression Constraints. It includes a logical model of the language, two syntaxes, a set of example expression constraints and a summary of implementation considerations. This document is now available from the SNOMED CT Document Library. Alternatively, you can access it directly via the following link: http://snomed.org/expressionconstraint.

Additional supporting materials can be found on the IHTSDO's 'SNOMED CT Languages' Github repository: https://github.com/IHTSDO/SNOMEDCT-Languages.

Example ABNF parsers for each of the SNOMED CT Computable Languages can be found at: http://apg.ihtsdotools.org.