The National Library of Medicine (NLM) has released a draft, rules-based map for SNOMED  CT. The NLM is seeking users to test, evaluate, and provide feedback for the map (SNOMED CT to ICD-9-CM Rule Based Mapping), which is meant to guide development of related healthcare services maps and lead to streamlined reimbursement and administrative reporting within US healthcare organizations.

The draft map contains approximately 5,000 SNOMED CT terms commonly used by Kaiser Permanente and the University of Nebraska.

SNOMED Terminology Solutions (STS), a division of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), developed the map for the NLM. CAP STS, and the American Health Information Management Association Foundation (AHIMA Foundation), on behalf of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reviewed and validated the draft map to ensure that the result accurately reflects the meaning and usage of ICD-9-CM. James Campbell, MD, at the University of Nebraska, was also instrumental in the map’s development.

From the beginning of this December through February 1, 2010, users also may offer feedback to the NLM and CAP STS at the same site. For additional details, contact Vivian Auld, Senior Specialist for Health Data Standards, National Library of Medicine, at auld@nlm.nih.gov.