ICN and IHTSDO extend collaboration to advance harmonisation of health terminology

Press Information   .   Communiqué de presse   .   Comunicado de prensa

Geneva, Switzerland & Copenhagen, Denmark, 1 September 2014

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation (IHTSDO) today announced an updated collaboration agreement to advance terminology harmonisation and foster interoperability in health information systems.  The new collaboration agreement signed today will be reviewed on completion of the work or in April 2016, whichever is earliest.

The overarching goals of this collaboration are to ensure that nurses worldwide have the tools they need to carry out their jobs effectively, that they are not disenfranchised from the global informatics infrastructure, and that they remain active in the collection of meaningful and useful health information.

As part of the collaboration agreement, ICN, owner of the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP), and IHTSDO, owner of SNOMED CT, have agreed to undertake further work that defines the relations between SNOMED CT and ICNP to enable their interoperability in health information systems globally. It builds on work already undertaken to produce an equivalence table for nursing diagnoses.

In the coming years IHTSDO and ICN will focus on two key areas of work: joint publication of a completed equivalence table between SNOMED CT and ICNP for Nursing Diagnoses, and joint publication of a completed equivalence table between SNOMED CT and ICNP for nursing interventions.

“ICN is delighted to extend our collaboration with IHTSDO,” said David Benton, ICN’s Chief Executive Officer.  “This agreement will be of mutual benefit to both organisations as well as to patients and will improve the description and comparison of nursing practice locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

“IHTSDO is pleased to be continuing its collaboration with the ICN”, said Jane Millar, Head of Collaboration at IHTSDO. “Our joint work in linking SNOMED CT and ICNP will be of benefit to the nursing profession worldwide to ensure a common understanding and interoperability, and also to support sharing with other members of the healthcare team.”

The first collaborative agreement between the two organisations was signed in 2010, and in January 2014 the cooperation was further advanced by the announcement of an equivalence table between ICNP concepts and SNOMED CT concepts.

Notes to the Editor:

ICN and IHTSDO are the developers of the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) and SNOMED Clinical Terms (CT), respectively. The ICNP terminology serves a critical role for ICN in representing the domain of nursing practice worldwide, thus providing nurses at all levels with data-based information used for practice, administration, education and research. SNOMED CT is a multidisciplinary healthcare terminology designed to support the entry and retrieval of clinical concepts in electronic record systems and the safe, accurate, and effective exchange of health information.

About ICN:
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses and leading nursing internationally, ICN works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally. (www.icn.ch).

About IHTSDO:
IHTSDO determines global standards for health terms, an essential part of improving the health of humankind. Its experts work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to ensure that SNOMED CT, its world-leading terminology product, is accepted around the world as the common language for health (www.ihtsdo.org).

My source: Amy L Amherdt

ICN International Conference 19-23 June 2015 Seoul, Republic of Korea - Global Citizen, Global Nursing

The International Council of Nurses is pleased to send you the link to the Call for Abstracts for the ICN Conference to be held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, 19-23 June 2015.  With the theme “Global Citizen, Global Nursing”, the ICN 2015 Conference will provide a global platform for the dissemination of nursing knowledge and leadership across specialities, cultures and countries.

The extensive ICN 2015 Conference scientific programme will feature keynote and main session invited speakers as well as a wide range of concurrent sessions including dynamic papers accepted through our highly competitive abstract selection process.

To share your ideas, research and expertise on how to provide quality care, improve populations’ equity and access to health care or contribute to further advance nursing knowledge and practice, you are invited to submit an abstract.

The Call for Abstracts provides you with all necessary information to enable you to actively contribute to the scientific and educational content of the ICN 2013 Congress by submitting an abstract on-line at www.icn2015.com

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS NOW AVAILABLE AT www.icn2015.com

Key dates

15 April 2014:	Online submission of abstracts opens
7 October 2014:	Online submission of abstracts closes (midnight GMT)
7 October 2014:	Registration opens
9 December 2014:	Applicants notified of abstract acceptance
11 February 2015:	Deadline for registration of abstract presenters

My source: PAHO

ICN and IHTSDO partner to provide a new Informatics Resources for nurses

International Council of Nurses (ICN) and International Health Terminology Standards Development Organization (IHTSDO)
partner to provide a new Informatics Resources for nurses

Geneva, Switzerland, Copenhagen, Denmark, 20 January 2014 - The International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation (IHTSDO) are pleased to announce an equivalency table between the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) concepts and SNOMED CT concepts. The table contains ICNP Diagnosis and Outcomes Statements that have semantic equivalencies with SNOMED CT concepts.

ICNP is an international standard that facilitates the description and comparison of nursing practice locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The ICNP terminology serves a critical role for ICN in facilitating representation of the domain of nursing practice worldwide to promote evidenced based quality care. ICNP provides nurses with content solutions for electronic health records (EHRs) at all levels to support data-based information for use in practice, administration, education and research. SNOMED CT, a multidisciplinary international healthcare terminology, is designed to support the entry and retrieval of clinical concepts in electronic record systems and the safe, accurate, and effective exchange of health information.

“This equivalency table between ICNP and SNOMED CT is a tangible demonstration of how collaboration among standards development organisations can contribute to improved and standardized documentation of healthcare delivery,” noted ICN CEO David Benton. “Greater standardization supports the larger goal of interoperability of systems as well as better understanding of the contributions that each discipline makes to health outcomes and the effective and efficient use of health resources.“

“The IHTSDO is pleased to see this work being made available to users internationally and hopes that there will be feedback on its usage over time in supporting the care of individuals on a multidisciplinary basis. Continued collaboration with ICN is important to the IHTSDO going forward, providing a key link to the nursing profession internationally” said Jane Millar, Head of Collaboration at IHTSDO.

This new product advances the collaboration on terminology development agreed between ICN and IHTSDO in their 2010 harmonization agreement by allowing ICN to make the equivalency table available through its website at the ICNP Download page ( http://www.icn.ch/pillarsprograms/icnp-download/ ). Although this table is not formally endorsed by IHTSDO, persons interested in using it should review the terms of the SNOMED CT Affiliate License before downloading ( www.ihtsdo.org/licence.pdf ).

The product can be a useful resource to nurses and healthcare facilities interested in using SNOMED CT for documentation in EHRs and using ICNP to help identify clinically relevant content for use in documentation of nursing care.

An additional product from ICN, the ICNP Technical Implementation Guide, was also recently released with the intent of supporting ICNP users, from vendors to nurses in care delivery settings. When used alongside documentation available on the IHTSDO website ( http://ihtsdo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/doc/ ), the Implementation Guide will be of particular use to those who choose to access and use the ICNP-SNOMED CT Equivalency Table in that it gives details about applications that use ICNP, approaches to implementation, structure and content of ICNP, and technical overview. The ICNP Implementation Guide is available on the ICN website ( www.icn.ch/pillarsprograms/implementing-icnpr/ ).

My source: Amy L Amherdt, icn-ehealth

Conferences and studies (what's the date?!)

I don't know about 21.12.12 being a date of note. 12.12.12 has brought another addition to a string of  disappointing conjunctions this past week.

I posted in the summer - here - about the ICN Congress in Melbourne next May. My submission did not make it, being placed on the reserve list. If this journey was going to happen then I would need to make arrangements now. So a desire to visit Australia and share Hodges' model with the ICN community and possibly some academic centers there will have to wait for another time. The original idea of a symposium would have been marvellous, so perhaps there are partnerships still to be forged.

Next up: another possible speaking opportunity for April, admittedly provisional has not been confirmed. Quite a disappointment this as I would have repeated a workshop approach I've used.

And finally ... finding an avenue to study Hodges' model at a postgraduate level (part time PhD) is proving far from straightforward. I knew this would be the case, so I will continue to refine my preparations and make further enquiries and applications.

As this year comes to a close I'm pleased to have done the presentations to date. Great experiences and communities all. I understand that the preoccupations with the Mayan calendar and the end of the World are mistaken. It is the start of a new calendar - a new age. That sounds good to me.

ICN Congress in Australia 2013: a symposium - you, me and another nursing colleague?

I posted previously about the aspiration of visiting Australia and presenting at the International Council of Nursing 25th Quadrennial Congress next May.


Instead of opting for a 15 minute concurrent session I am wondering about the possibility of collaborating with two other speakers to prepare a symposium session of 80 minutes. Copied below is a *draft* abstract that could be adapted to include and reflect other speaker’s motivations and interests. The word limit is 250 including title and author details. It would be marvellous not only to present h2cm at the ICN, but sharing the challenge to produce a presentation that is coherent and informs nursing theory and practice today and tomorrow.

The deadline for abstracts is 14th September so if this is going to happen it needs to be very soon; otherwise I will submit an abstract for a 15 minute session.

If you are interested please get in touch. There may be points I have missed, for example I plan on staying for three weeks. If you have a place I can stay with a teaching opportunity I'd be very grateful for your support and the teaching/learning opportunity. Please spread the word...

I know this approach is unorthodox, but this is 2012. If this does not happen next year there may be other opportunities. Thanks for listening...

Draft abstract:

A global health care model for the challenges of twenty-first century care and self-efficacy

You?, me & presenter three?

Nursing is a discipline and profession with global aspirations in terms of supporting health for all. Professional recognition of nursing has in part been gained through the development of nursing theory and models of nursing. This presentation argues the need for a global, generic conceptual framework that has relevance for all nurses and citizens. While there is a marked variation - often for good reason - in nursing curricula having a common framework can provide a foundational standard, a conceptual basis for nursing that can serve as a common currency for dialogue.

Hodges' model, a conceptual framework created in the mid 1980s is the focus. This symposium is presented in three parts. Firstly, the characteristics of the model including its structure, content and original purposes are explained. Secondly, the model is demonstrated by mapping the themes of this congress. This exercise utilises the model’s knowledge domains, namely sciences, sociology, politics, interpersonal and spiritual. Finally, a critique is provided. As I seek to listen to patients, why should you listen? What does a 1980s model of nursing offer to professionals in the 20th century? Where do the values of nursing reside in what is yet another model of care, and how can this model affirm the positive aspects of nursing, global health care, well-being and self efficacy? What directions are there for further research? Additional resources will be signposted.

Image source: http://www.ausbird.com/


@h2cm

[HIFA2015] International Nurses Day, May 12 "Closing the gap: From evidence to action"

Dear Colleagues / collaborators,

Nurses worldwide under the umbrella of the International Council of Nurses celebrates the International Nurses Day yearly on May 12. This is to pay tribute to the millions of men and women who put their lives to the service of humanity, in accordance with convention 149 of the ILO (Nursing Personnel Convention) passed in 1997. This celebration however has not yet gained the recognition it should, for how can one explain the fact that this day may even go by unnoticed in some countries, or are we therefore saying it is not worth it and why is this day not even a public holiday like for other professional groups.

I find it hard to believe that until now on this forum no one could think of it, when the celebration is due in barely 36 hours. I understand the delicate nature of health jobs, but this should not be an excuse for not paying tribute where is it due. I know this day should be meant for reflection among nurses and seeking for ways to improve nursing services. This will not happen in isolation, for nurses need the political will and inter sectoral collaboration to do their job effectively, shape a better future for the next generation of nurses consonant with current stakes.

This year, nurses are deliberating on the theme 'closing the gap: From evidence to action'. This topic is quite elaborate and needs lots of considerations both within and without the influence of nurses. Understanding evidence-based practice, seeking for sources of evidence, making the appropriate case for change and moving from evidence to action is the cycle in which nurses hope to reflect as they celebrate this year. Nurses will need new skills and expertise to deal with their clients in today's changing and challenging health environment. This is why this forum is of vital importance and I will continue to thank the team behind it. Nursing training programs may be subject to revision, expanding the legal and professional limits of practice while maintaining strict regulatory sanctions. This increased autonomy will enable nurses take up new functions within the confines of their practice and help in meeting the health needs of our population and not acting as physician substitutes or mini-doctors.

Therefore, I wish all nurses a happy celebration, calling on them to use the very rich celebration kit from the ICN, easily downloadable from their website, www.icn.ch, and share among themselves in all settings where nurses live and work. It is our day and we should be happy and honoured for the services we offer to the six billion people on earth, since nurses form the bulk of health care providers and work in remote areas in all countries.

In Cameroon, thousands of nurses from all the ten regions, shall be meeting in the economic capital Douala between June 14 to 16, to brainstorm on the activities. This event is usually opened by the Minister of Public health or his representative, various scientific presentations, round table conferences and other important activities grace the event and concluded by a closing ceremony during which important decisions taken are communicated to participants.

Tita Pale Isa Ndognjem, BSc, RN
Public Relation officer, Cameroon Nurses Association
2012 Fellow, Commonwealth Nurses Federation
paleisa AT yahoo.com 

Additional link:

C149 Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977
Convention concerning Employment and Conditions of Work and Life of Nursing Personnel (Note: Date of coming into force: 11:07:1979.) 
My source: HIFA2015

International Nurses Day - Closing the gap: My Project for a Global Conceptual Framework for Nursing

As International Nurses Day is celebrated tomorrow on the 12th May the emphasis and work here at W2tQ lies with Hodges' model. The project is to publicise h2cm's international potential in providing an avenue to help unify nursing theory, practice and assure future research.

Fawcett wrote of the metaparadigm of nursing - namely the inclusion of the concepts of person; environment; health; and nursing.

These concepts are incorporated into Fawcett's criteria on model validation which are listed in bold-italic below.

I have also ventured some reflections on the current status of h2cm when compared against these criteria.

Assumptions underlying the conceptual model are made explicit.

It is not sufficient, but the structure of Hodges' model renders the assumptions within the model explicit. The structure identifies eight initial key concepts:

INDIVIDUAL, GROUP (population); HUMANISTIC, MECHANISTIC; SCIENCES, POLITICS, SOCIOLOGY, INTERPERSONAL

A complete description of all four concepts of nursing's metaparadigm are presented.

Reflection soon reveals that several environments are suggested:

PHYSICAL, ORGANISATION, COMMUNITY, HOME, RESIDENCES, DWELLINGS, COGNITIVE (conceptual), SYMBOLIC, ABSTRACT, VIRTUAL, FORUMS, COLLEGES

Propositions of the conceptual model completely link the four meta-paradigm concepts. 

This is feasible, reasoning from the foundation of the model's structure.

The internal structure of the conceptual model is logically congruent.

This does need to be demonstrated. Initial recognition of logical congruence might be found through the conjoining of disciplines, that is frequently taken for granted: PSYCHO-SOCIAL; SOCIO-TECHNICAL; SOCIO-ECONOMIC.

The conceptual model is socially congruent, socially significant, and socially useful.

I have claimed on numerous occasions that the model is agnostic, universal, accessible, and has educational potential. These and other qualities need to be critically examined.

Empirical evidence in support of the model has accumulated from many derived theories.

The two final criteria are the most challenging. Empirical evidence supporting Hodges' model is available, but again must be tested through research. If someone has time - could you please compare the frequency of a set of political concepts in the nursing literature since 1985?* The emergence of health literacy and self-efficacy, threshold concepts, conceptual spaces, the rise of the semantic web and developments in software can all potentially support h2cm. Producing a roll-call of some of the latest trends in contemporary education, research and culture is not good enough, specific studies are needed.

The total contribution of the conceptual model to nursing knowledge. 

There is a long, long way to go, but the contribution has begun ... every journey ...

Of course, it is almost 20 years since publication of Fawcett's criteria. Has the concept of congruence changed in that time? What is socially significant and useful now? What should the social and political weighting of evaluative criteria be in 2012...? There is a body of critique upon Fawcett's and other evaluative tools within nurse education.

Perhaps a new set of criteria could be defined using h2cm itself? For a model of nursing (health and social care) to be fit for purpose, acceptable and viable across the globe, there are new concepts to be represented. While that would certainly close a gap, it does not seem a rigorous or valid way to proceed. I will seek out other more recent criteria and present them here at some point.

Fawcett J. Analysis and Evaluation of Conceptual Models of Nursing, 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: FA Davis; 1995.

*Many thanks - if someone should pick this up, which ever axes, concept or issue.

25th Int. Council of Nurses (ICN) 25th Quadrennial Congress: Equity and access to health care (seeking co-presenters & sponsors)

Copied below is news about the 2013 International Council of Nursing Congress. There are lots of details to follow including the cost of registration. The call for abstracts invites submissions - in ONLY ONE of the following categories:

• Concurrent session: A paper 15 minutes in length.
• Symposium: An 80 minute session with a minimum of three speakers presenting on a single theme from different perspectives. Speakers presenting a symposium must submit a single joint abstract.
• Poster: A visual presentation for display on a poster board.

I plan to submit an abstract but wonder if anyone reading this would be interested in a symposium presentation?

We would each cover our own expenses and so to this end I am now saving, seeking prospective financial support and sponsorship! I would of course be pleased to work with co-presenters in applying h2cm to their work and would relish the opportunity of learning from others.

As per the single joint abstract, the symposium would demonstrate Hodges' model in three nursing disciplines / care contexts, each related to the Congress theme:

Equity and access to health care

If you are interested in this possible adventure please get in touch h2cmng at yahoo.co.uk and then we can explore this further. I am especially interested to work with a student nurse and nursing colleagues working / teaching in a development context.

In February 2011 on the visit to Colombia I came my closest ever - within five degrees - of the equator. Australia would be an amazing journey not only because I have family there, but if in addition to furthering knowledge of Hodges' model I can share the experience with readers.

Many thanks
Peter J. @h2cm

Online abstract submission now open for the

2013 ICN Congress

Geneva, Switzerland, 16 April 2012 - The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is pleased to announce the opening of online abstract submission for its 25th Quadrennial Congress and CNR in Melbourne, Australia. Equity and access to health care is the theme of the conference, which will take place from 18-23 May 2013. Instructions for the submission of abstracts and details on the themes to be addressed can be accessed at www.icn2013.ch. ICN invites nurses and others around the world to share their ideas, research and expertise by submitting abstracts for the scientific programme. The deadline for abstract submission is

14 September 2012.

ICN is in the final stages of developing a rich four-day scientific programme, offering four plenary sessions, including a debate, and 18 main sessions with 54 international speakers confirmed to date. Key subjects for plenary and main sessions include gender equity, the epidemic of non-communicable diseases, the tension between personal and societal responsibility for health, wellness and prevention, the nursing workforce, ethics/human rights, clinical care and patient safety. The Council of National Representatives, ICN’s global governing body, will also convene in Melbourne just prior to the Congress, from 16-19 May 2013.

Key dates for the ICN 25^th Quadrennial Congress and CNR

•      16 April 2012 - Online submission of abstracts opens
•      14 September 2012 - Online abstract submission closes (midnight CET)
•      14 September 2012 - Registration opens
•      1 December 2012 – Notification of abstract acceptance
•      11 January 2013 – Registration deadline for abstract presenters
•      14 February 2013 - Early bird registration closes (midnight CET).

To keep up with all the latest information on the Congress programme and related events, visit the Congress website at www.icn2013.chNCIL OF NURSES