Standardizing Clinical Language at a National Level: Building an Interoperability Platform with SNOMED CT and FHIR

Details

This case study addresses the challenge faced by a South American Ministry of Health (MOHW): fragmented and inconsistent clinical terminology across various facilities (diagnoses, labs, imaging). To solve this, TechVariable deployed a comprehensive SNOMED CT environment using Snowstorm Terminology Server and HAPI FHIR. Technically, they provisioned infrastructure using Docker Swarm/Kubernetes and configured the system to host both the International Edition and region-specific extensions. Key functionalities included enabling concept lookups and ValueSet expansions via Snowstorm APIs, and integrating these capabilities with HAPI FHIR for standardized data resolution across EHRs and lab systems. Data ingestion was managed through Apache Airflow pipelines, allowing the import of custom regional extensions (via MLDS) and various clinical value sets. The solution provides a repeatable, version-controlled update process. Furthermore, the roadmap outlines future enhancements, including integrating other code systems like LOINC and ICD-10, and extending interoperability to legacy standards such as HL7 v2 and CDA documents. This deployment establishes a foundational, scalable terminology service crucial for supporting national digital health strategies in the region.