Designing a communication protocol for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome information exchange

INTRODUCTION: Interoperability will provide similar understanding on the meaning of communicated messages to intelligent systems and their users. This feature is essential for controlling and managing contagious diseases which threaten public health, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The aim of this study was also designing communication protocols for normalizing the content and structure of intelligent messages in order to optimize the interoperability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used a checklist to extract information content compatible with minimum data set (MDS) of AIDS. After coding information content through selected classification and nomenclature systems, the reliability and validity of codes were evaluated by external agreement method. The MindMaple software was used for mapping the information content to Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine-Clinical Terminology (SNOMED-CT) integrated codes. Finally, the Clinical Document Architecture (CDA) format was used for standard structuring of information content. RESULTS: The information content standard format, compatible selected classification, or nomenclature system and their codes were determined for all information contents. Their corresponding codes in SNOMED-CT were structured in the form of CDA body and title. CONCLUSION: The complex and multidimensional nature of AIDS requires the participation of multidisciplinary teams from different organizations, complex analyzes, multidimensional and complex information modeling, and maximum interoperability. In this study, the use of CDA structure along with SNOMED-CT codes is completely compatible with optimal interoperability needs for AIDS control and management.