ABSTRACT

Terminological systems are usually created with a specific purpose in mind. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) was initially created to collect morbidity and mortality statistics. The Read codes were developed for primary care physicians, and SNOMED (Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine) was developed to code pathological concepts. As these systems grow, their use extends beyond their initial domain, and some systems are redeveloped as general purpose systems. It is often a declared intention that such general systems are complete and universal healthcare languages.