Banks, Ian Christopher; (1996) Is there a need for a standardized thesaurus of terms in anaesthesia? Can such a thesaurus be created, and introduced into the National Health Service? Doctoral thesis (M.D.), University College London.

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Abstract

Health care can be provided more efficiently if clinical and administrative decisions can be made easily. Good quality, accurate information is essential as a basis for these decisions. This applies throughout the National Health Service, and specifically to the specialty of anaesthesia. The thesis illustrates the instances in the Health Service, and in anaesthesia, where accurate data are required. If information is collected in the form of a common language, then it is more readily understood. The aim of the thesis is to assess the need for a common, or standard language for anaesthesia, whether such a language can be written, and then to examine the means for introducing the language into the National Health Service, after suitable testing. If the standard language can be used by computers, the language can be written in the form of terms. The use of computers also allows the development of a coding system for the terms. A review of existing classifications and nomenclatures demonstrates that there is no existing standard thesaurus of terms suitable for anaesthesia, and so one needs to be created. The way in which terms can be used to express relevant concepts in anaesthesia is discussed. The style in which terms need to be written for easy use, and the ways in which terms can be used to express grammatical idioms, and add contextual information is reviewed. The required content of such a thesaurus of terms, such as terms for procedures, history and examination terms, measurements and the like is examined. Once assembled, the thesaurus needs to be checked and tested. The means of quality assurance already used are reviewed, and methods for further examination of terms are suggested. The ways of introducing and using the terms within the National Health Service are illustrated.

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