Applying hybrid algorithms for text matching to automated biomedical vocabulary mapping

Several biomedical vocabularies are often used by clinical applications due to their different domain(s) of coverage, intended use, etc. Mapping them to a reference terminology is essential for inter-systems interoperability. Manual vocabulary mapping is labor-intensive and allows room for inconsistencies. It requires manual searching for synonyms, abbreviation expansions, variations, etc., placing additional burden on the mappers. Furthermore, local vocabularies may use non-standard words and abbreviations, posing additional problems. However, much of this process can be automated to provide decision-support, allowing mappers to focus on steps that absolutely need their expertise. We developed hybrid algorithms comprising of rules, permutations, sequence alignment and cost algorithms that utilize the UMLS SPECIALIST Lexicon, a custom knowledgebase and a search engine to automatically find probable matches, allowing mappers to select the best match from this list. We discuss the techniques, results from assisting to map a local codeset, and scope for generalizability.