Purpose:
The purpose of this document is to provide general information about creating maps from a Point of Service Terminology to a Reference Terminology.
Audience and Objectives:
This document is intended to provide new and experienced Business Analysts with introductory level information about terminology maps and is not intended to provide detailed information specific to mapping, why they are needed and how they might be created. Business Analysts who are preparing their Point of Service Terminology files in a healthcare information system will find this document of particular interest.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is a Map?
A map provides a link from one terminology to another. Mapping involves "matching" between a source term and a target concept that represents the same meaning, such as between two databases that contain the data elements that are meant to be similar but are called by different names. In most cases, the relationship is between the local point of service or vendor specific terms (the “source”) and the respective term from a Reference Terminology such as SNOMED CT® or LOINC® (the “target”). A mapping process simply matches the terms or words from a local system to the appropriate concept that represents the same meanings from a Reference Terminology.
2. Why do I need a Map?
Maps enable software and systems to meaningfully exchange patient information. Many Point of Service (POS) systems in a health care environment use a “local” terminology designed to support that particular POS system. These specific terminologies, although meaningful to the specific system they support, may lose their meaning when shared with other similar electronic systems (lab to lab, EMR to EMR, lab to EMR etc.). To overcome this disparity, Reference Terminologies are used to bridge the gap between these distinct “local” terminologies.
3. How should I use a POS map to a Reference Terminology?
A map is intended to be used in electronic systems and is not exposed to the user at the point of service. The terminology used in the local system usually does not have to change. The target Reference Terminology is what is used to communicate with other systems. This facilitates interoperability between systems using their own local terminology. It also facilitates research and gathering information for statistical analyses.
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