Development of a SNOMED CT Mapping Process and Tool at a Data Integration Centre - Lessons Learned.

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Health Data Management

Background:

• University Hospital Erlangen manages 16 million German-language free-text lab results daily.
• A local data integration center facilitates research access to routine care data.
• International standards like FHIR and SNOMED CT are used for data harmonization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a map and tooling for representing non-numeric laboratory test results.
• To address the need for an n:n map and a data safety-compliant local instance.
• To create harmonized data for medical research.

Main Methods:

• Developed an incremental mapping-validation process with iteration cycles.
• Created a customized mapping tool using Microsoft Access.
• Prioritized time, labor, and cost efficiency in development.

Main Results:

• Successfully implemented a mapping process and a customized tool.
• Identified requirements such as multiple user access through initial iterations.
• Developed a cheat sheet for process guidance.

Conclusions:

• The implemented process and tool can assist other German hospitals.
• Facilitates local map creation for inter-consortia data exchange and research.
• Future publications will present qualitative and quantitative analysis results.