Terminology and Global Standardization of Endoscopic Information: Minimal Standard Terminology (MST)

Abstract

Since 1994, following the leading efforts by the European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Organisation Mondiale d'Endoscopie Digestive (OMED) has succeeded in compiling minimal number of terms required for computer generation of digestive endoscopy reports nicknamed MST (Minimal Standard Terminology). Though with some insufficiencies, and though developed only for digestive endoscopy, MST has been the only available terminology that is globally standardized in medicine. By utilizing the merits of a unified, structured terminology that can be used in multiple languages we can utilize the data stored in different languages as a common database. For this purpose, a standing, terminology-managing organization that manages and maintains and, when required, expands the terminology on a global level, is absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, however, the organization that performs version control of MST (OMED terminology, standardization and data processing committee) is currently suspending its activity. Medical practice of the world demands more and more specialization, with resultant needs for information exchange among specialized territories. As the cooperation between endoscopy and pathology has become currently the most important problem in the Endoscopy Working Group of Integrating Healthcare Enterprise-Japan (IHE-J,) the cooperation among different specialties is essential. There are DICOM or HL7 standards as the protocols for storage, and exchange (communication) of the data, but there is yet no organization that manages the terminology itself astride different specialties. We hereby propose to establish, within IEEE, for example, a system that promotes standardization of the terminology that can transversely describe a patient, and that can control different societies and groups, as far as the terminology is concerned.

Pediatric Endoscopy Quality Improvement Network Pediatric Endoscopy Reporting Elements

“…This idiosyncratic approach leads to suboptimal documentation for clinical and legal purposes, and prevents systematic data extraction, creating a barrier to developing an evidence base through research and quality assurance for pediatric endoscopy (3,5,14,15,(18)(19)(20)(21). In the adult context, standardized language (eg, Minimal Standard Terminology (9,68), Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Terminology Coding ( 86)) has been developed to unify endoscopy reporting within and across countries and aid measurement of adherence to quality requirements (9,68,(86)(87)(88). These frameworks provide a systematic approach to the description of endoscopic findings and assist in standardizing endoscopic image documentation and storage (9,68,(86)(87)(88)(89).…”

“…In the adult context, standardized language (eg, Minimal Standard Terminology (9,68), Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Terminology Coding ( 86)) has been developed to unify endoscopy reporting within and across countries and aid measurement of adherence to quality requirements (9,68,(86)(87)(88). These frameworks provide a systematic approach to the description of endoscopic findings and assist in standardizing endoscopic image documentation and storage (9,68,(86)(87)(88)(89). The value of standardized terminology in both adult and pediatric endoscopy is underscored by the widespread implementation of electronic medical records for reporting of gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures.…”