A step toward uniform codes

work on developing a uniformly accepted set of diagnostic codes for companion animal practices is nearing completion. According to the AAHA Diagnostic Codes Task Force, beta testing of 2,000 diagnostic and 2,000 clinical symptom codes began this spring. The codes are based on the Systemized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) system and will be mapped to SNOMED codes to ensure that they're compatible with other nomenclature systems. Next, a group of AAHA-accredited practices will test the codes. AAHA plans to make the codes available to practice management software system vendors. The new codes will be available for software use in late 2006 or early 2007 following testing and completion of licensing agreements withSNOMED.