Introduction to Editorial Guide
Background
SNOMED CT is a comprehensive, international, logic-based reference terminology designed to represent clinically relevant information in a consistent, computable way. Originating from the union of NHS Clinical Terms Version 3 and SNOMED RT, it has evolved to support contemporary clinical practice and technological advances . The Editorial Guide exists to support the ongoing development and quality assurance of this terminology, ensuring content is modeled consistently and in alignment with best practices.
Content development is provided by expert clinicians driven by the requirements of user communities. This includes core content for use internationally and content relevant to national extensions for local implementation.
Its logic-based definitions represent terminological knowledge, or what is always true about the meaning of concepts. It consists of codes, that correspond to concepts, arranged in a polyhierarchical manner, as well as relationships between the concepts, which further define the meaning.
Description logic (DL) is the formal foundation of meaning in SNOMED CT. The way that concepts have been modeled in SNOMED CT permits them to be represented using description logic. A DL reasoner is used to classify SNOMED CT. The DL reasoner also helps test expressions for subsumption and equivalence.
Purpose
The SNOMED CT Editorial Guide provides the rules, conventions, and principles required to model SNOMED CT concepts. It serves as the definitive reference for authoring and maintaining content in the International Release, while also supporting extension creators . The guide ensures that terminology is reliable, unambiguous, and interoperable for healthcare applications.
Scope
This guide covers the editorial policies for precoordinated content, meaning concepts and rules applicable to all precoordinated SNOMED CT content. Rules specific only to postcoordinated content are not included; these are managed separately through the MRCM (Machine Readable Concept Model) browser . It also provides information on concept modeling, naming conventions, inactivation, attributes, and rules for specific hierarchies.
Text that is protected by copyright will not be accepted for inclusion unless accompanied by a release from the copyright holder.
Audience
The primary audience of the Editorial Guide is SNOMED International editors responsible for maintaining the International Release. However, it is also relevant for extension developers, implementers, and others involved in clinical terminology management . For national or local extensions, the Extensions Practical Guide offers complementary guidance.
Review Cycle
The Editorial Guide is a living document that is continually revised and updated. The online version is updated monthly, reflecting the latest editorial decisions.
*Changes on this spreadsheet may include those in progress for a future publication date. The in-progress changes are available for viewing but will not be visible in the Editorial Guide until the next publication. Please note dates in bottom tab.
Contact and Feedback
The Editorial Guide is maintained by SNOMED International, the organization responsible for the ongoing development and distribution of SNOMED CT. Users are encouraged to provide feedback or seek clarification by contacting SNOMED International at [email protected] . Additional resources, licensing details, and membership information are available at www.snomed.org.
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