JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) was in need of a modernized approach to manage resources for standardized terminology that specify data submitted electronically.

Objective:

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) reported to NHSN require submission of data regarding specific microorganisms attributed to the patient’s condition. Data on microorganisms submitted to the NHSN electronically must use the SNOMED CT terminology standard. Terminology artifacts that guide submission of microorganism data have been maintained in spreadsheets that have become increasingly challenging to manage. This case report details the initial use case for implementation of off-the-shelf software within the CDC’s NHSN to modernize maintenance of terminology assets.

Methods:

Resources that guide reporting of microorganisms for HAIs were used as a proof-of-concept to demonstrate how a software application can be practically implemented to streamline the maintenance of complex terminology assets.

Results:

Mission-critical terminology resources specifying requirements for electronic submission of microorganisms associated with HAIs have been reconciled and consolidated into a single source of truth knowledgebase using a terminology service based on an off-the-shelf software solution.

Conclusions:

This report shares progress and lessons learned regarding modernization of NHSN’s Pathogen Codes resource and its derivative artifacts. A model is now available that can be replicated across other complex legacy artifacts. Our experience can be applied to other public health use cases and information systems facing similar challenges with attachments to legacy terminology resources and systems.