SNOMED International is constantly looking for new ways to support Members and our broader community by developing tools and services that will make it easier to implement and use SNOMED CT. We recently launched our Simplex tool, which empowers users to efficiently create, manage and publish custom SNOMED CT extensions and to tailor SNOMED CT to meet their specific needs without incurring high costs. In this Q&A-style blog, SNOMED International Implementation Team members Kai Kewley, Alejandro Lopez Osornio and Anne Højen explain the tool’s key features, its target audience and how it differs from our Managed Service offering.

Q: What is the Simplex tool?

A: It is a tool we have developed to help our Members, affiliate license users and others to customize SNOMED CT by creating their own extension.

Q: What are its main features and capabilities?

A: This tool helps users create and maintain subsets, maps, translations, synonyms and basic primitive concepts with a single parent. It enables you to assemble this content into an edition, browse the edition during maintenance, and validate and release the edition. It integrates with existing SNOMED International tooling like the Refset & Translation tool and the Snap2SNOMED mapping tool.

Q: Whom will this be of interest to?

A: Simplex may be of interest to Members or any affiliate who would like to extend the International Edition. It’s intended for those who require basic components and derivatives of SNOMED CT, may have budgetary constraints, and can independently perform ongoing maintenance of the created content. It’s perfect for stakeholders with basic extension requirements who lack access to another extension management and release environment.

Q: Why did SNOMED International create the tool?

A: SNOMED International created the tool to simplify the process for healthcare organizations and members who need to customize SNOMED CT. Previously, this process was complex, but the new tool aims to remove that barrier by offering a simple and open solution for everyone. While some implementers were already using available services like the Refset and Translation tool or Snap2SNOMED to create subsets and maps, there had not been a free service to allow users assemble these derivatives into a proper SNOMED CT extension until now.

Q: What are some of the considerations to keep in mind when using this new tool?

A: This tool has been designed to be completely self-service without the need for training or support. The accompanying guide covers everything users will need to know to create artifacts, perform content validation and go through the steps of the release process themselves to produce a high-quality standardized SNOMED CT release. 

Many automations mitigate the need for technical support, allowing more customers to join without additional costs and enabling users to work on their own schedules. Users are responsible for maintaining the content they create.

Q: How can I access and use it?

A: You can access it any time as an online service hosted by SNOMED International. 

Q: Where can I find the guide and what does it include?

A: You can find the guide here. It includes all the information required to use it and a number of “how to” Qs&As. The new user sign-up form is here.

Q: How is this tool different from the Managed Service offering?

A: The two main differences are the capabilities and the level of support. 

Simplex can only be used to create very basic concepts using a spreadsheet. It’s a completely self-service tool including the release process.

The Managed Service Authoring Platform supports full concept modeling enabling the creation of new clinical concepts. It also has other features like advanced content reporting and many other capabilities. Managed Service users have a support agreement with a team at SNOMED International who provide on-site onboarding training, customer service reviews, and a user group that discusses features and development priorities. A comparison table is available in the Simplex User Guide.

Q: What if we need help?

A: For support, we suggest users refer to the comprehensive documentation. There is also a Simplex User Forum where users can learn from others and ask questions. Our implementation specialists will also be participating in conversations with the users in the public forum.

Contact info@snomed.org with questions.