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SNOMED CT® Release Format 1 (RF1) Guide - ihtsdo

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22 | <strong>SNOMED</strong> CT <strong>Release</strong> <strong>Format</strong> 1 (<strong>RF1</strong>) <strong>Guide</strong> July 2012<br />

• Cross Map Target: a target scheme representation consisting of a single code or an expression<br />

consisting of several target codes.<br />

Note: In <strong>Release</strong> <strong>Format</strong> 2 cross maps are represented using Reference Sets. The type of Reference<br />

Set used varies according to the nature and complexity of the mapping.<br />

2.1.2.4. Search support<br />

The Developer Toolkit, which is supplied as part of the <strong>SNOMED</strong> CT International <strong>Release</strong>, includes several<br />

tables that can be used to simplify and support for text searching.<br />

There are two WordKey Tables. These tables link each word used in <strong>SNOMED</strong> CT to every:<br />

• Description in which it is used;<br />

• Concept associated with an active description in which the word is used.<br />

There are also two Dualkey Tables. These tables link each abbreviated word pair to every:<br />

• Description in which that pair of words is used;<br />

• Concept in which the combined set of active descriptions contains that pair of words.<br />

These tables are provided to assist implementation. However, use of these tables is optional, as developers<br />

may generate and use alternative search support resources.<br />

An extended version of the Developer Toolkit, provides Java® programs to generate indexes that may be<br />

useful to organizations that develop <strong>SNOMED</strong> CT Extensions.<br />

2.1.3. Extensions<br />

<strong>SNOMED</strong> CT is designed to allow the International Edition to be enhanced by adding Extensions that meet<br />

national or local requirements. Extensions are managed by IHTSDO Members or Affiliates who have been<br />

issued with a Namespace Identifier, which distinguishes the Identifiers of the Components they maintain. An<br />

Extension may contain Components of various types (e.g. Concepts, Descriptions, Relationships, and<br />

Derivatives including Reference Sets used for a variety of purposes).<br />

2.1.3.1. Rationale for Extensions<br />

<strong>SNOMED</strong> CT is a detailed clinical terminology which covers a broad scope. However, some groups of users<br />

will need additional Concepts, Descriptions or Reference Sets to support national, local or organizational<br />

needs.<br />

This section explains the structures that enable IHTSDO Members (National <strong>Release</strong> Centers) and IHTSDO<br />

Affiliates to add Concepts, Descriptions, Relationships and Reference Sets to complement the <strong>SNOMED</strong> CT<br />

International <strong>Release</strong>.<br />

The Extension mechanism allows <strong>SNOMED</strong> CT to be adapted to address the terminology needs of a country<br />

or organization which are not met by the International <strong>Release</strong>. The mechanism provides a structure within<br />

which the components of each Extension are uniquely identified and attributed to a specific issuing organisation.<br />

This ensures that, when instance data containing content from different Extensions if communicated, the<br />

provenance of each referenced Concepts is clear and ambiguity is avoided. Since the International <strong>Release</strong><br />

and all Extensions share the same common structure, the same application software can be used to enter,<br />

store and process information from different extensions. Similarly, Reference Sets can be constructed that<br />

refer to content from the International <strong>Release</strong> and a variety of Extensions.<br />

The common structure also means that, content developed by one organization can where relevant be easily<br />

submitted for possible inclusion in a National Edition or in the International Edition.<br />

Using the extension structure can also help organizations transfer responsibility for terminology to the IHTSDO<br />

or to another organization , subject to the terms of the Affiliate License .<br />

© 2002-2012 International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation CVR #: 30363434

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