Implementation guide for interoperable medicines

This guidance is under active development by NHS England and content may be added or updated on a regular basis.

Element: method

The 999000041000001103 ePrescribing method simple reference set (foundation metadata concept) reference set collates the commonly used terms for method for use in the United Kingdom. Additional terms can be requested to be added to this reference set.

For example:

<!-- Method -->
<method>
    <coding>
        <system value="http://snomed.info/sct"/>
        <code value="129326001"/>
        <display value="Injection"/>
    </coding>
</method>

and

<!-- Method -->
<method>
    <coding>
        <system value="http://snomed.info/sct"/>
        <code value="71791000001107"/>
        <display value="Nebulise - method of drug administration (qualifier value)"/>
    </coding>
</method>

Whilst a FHIR value-set for method does exist, together with two separate hierarchies within SNOMED-CT (Dose form administration method and Dosing instruction fragment), it is recommended to use the ePrescribing reference set in the first instance.

Use of synonyms

In most instances it is anticipated that the UK Preferred term should be the term applied to SNOMED CT concepts However for some cases, for example the anatomically correct SNOMED-CT term may not be easily understood by the patient or clinician, the use of a synonym may be preferred.

Guidance for using terms that are not preferred terms is available within the published document Guidance on the use of CodeableConcept.


back to top