Mapping local lab test result codes to SNOMED CT PaLM

SNOMED CT Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PaLM) is a terminology that more accurately represents pathology and laboratory medicine patient test result codes (‘reportables’) than the legacy, outdated Read Pathology Bounded Code List (PBCL) codes currently in use.

Unfortunately, the limitations of many laboratory information management systems mean that SNOMED CT PaLM cannot yet be used natively by most labs, so mapping of ‘local’ reportables to SNOMED PaLM is required.

The International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) defines mapping as:

However, whilst prevalent in digital healthcare, mapping can be laborious, can introduce error, can result in variation, and requires ongoing maintenance.

Consequently, NHSE’s Pathology Standards and Implementation team have created guidance and resources to help labs map source terminology data representing patient test results to SNOMED CT PaLM and to other coded data elements in the Pathology FHIR Specification.

Please bookmark this page as further resources including SNOMED PaLM concept map tables currently in development will be added once assured.