NLM is the central coordinating body for clinical terminology standards within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). NLM works closely with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to ensure NLM efforts are aligned with the goal of the President and HHS Secretary for the nationwide implementation of an interoperable health information technology infrastructure to improve the quality and efficiency of health care. A PDF file summarizing Health Information Technology and Health Data Standards at NLM is also available.
Implementation Resources
NLM provides clinical vocabulary standards and tools that support implementation of Meaningful Use, C-CDA, and other programs.
Research and Research Resources
For decades, the NLM Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC) has pioneered research efforts in the areas of natural language processing, clinical vocabulary standards, and semantic interoperability.
NLM Partners
NLM partners with ONC, CMS, FDA, VA, and other government agencies to accomplish nationwide goals and activities in the area of Health IT. NLM funds LOINC development to promote greater interoperability of lab test results and patient assessment instruments. NLM is also the US Member Representative to the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation, which permits free use of SNOMED CT in the US. In addition, NLM is a voting member of HL7 and collaborates with them to ensure high levels of interoperability during the standards development process.
Education and Training
NLM grants provide training in the areas of biomedical informatics to develop the next generation of big-thinkers in bioinformatics, NLP, and using machines to solve real-world health IT challenges.
Health IT News
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Last Reviewed: April 27, 2019