Field of invention
The present invention is directed towards improving interoperability across heterogeneous taxonomies. More particularly, the present invention provides interoperability among a plurality of clinical error taxonomies originating from different sections of a medical organization.
Background of the invention
Clinical errors often termed as medical errors depict human and organizational errors in the field of medicine. Such errors may have serious, and sometimes fatal, consequences for medical patients. Due to such consequences of errors in a medical environment, numerous efforts are being made to lower the rate of occurrence of such errors. Doctors and medical workers are increasingly being encouraged to record every instance of a clinical error that occurs in order to construct a comprehensive database. A database of clinical errors would assist in analysis, research and consequently prevention of such errors.
Medical practitioners use different nomenclatures to record clinical errors. Hence, taxonomies or classifications of clinical errors originating from two different sources may use different terms to refer to a same or similar clinical error. Taxonomies originating from different sources such as different medical departments of a hospital may also be using different taxonomic structures, such as trees or directed acyclic graphs (DAG). Such inconsistency in nomenclature and structures while creating or populating a taxonomy makes sharing clinical error data difficult.
Currently conflicts occur when heterogeneous clinical error taxonomies from multiple sources are compared. These conflicts arise due to uncoordinated nomenclature and taxonomic structure. Consequently, there is need for a system and a method for providing interoperability across multiple heterogeneous clinical error taxonomies maintained by different medical entities. Such interoperability would result in an improved coordination across different medical entities. The improved coordination would enable comparison and

analysis of clinical error data across multiple medical entities thereby enabling research for reducing occurrence of clinical errors leading to improved patient safety.
Summary of the invention
A system for providing interoperability among a plurality of taxonomies belonging to a domain is provided. The system comprises a classification layer for standardizing the taxonomies by assigning a predetermined unique number to each taxonomic name, node and element. The system also comprises a translation layer logically coupled with the classification layer. The translation layer comprises a mapping of each of the unique numbers against a corresponding taxonomic name, node or element, and a plurality of business rules for defining one or more relationships between the standardized taxonomies. In an embodiment, the system provides interoperability among a plurality of taxonomies in the domain of clinical errors.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the classification layer performs at least one of the functions of addition or deletion or modification or a combination thereof, on one or more of the standardized taxonomies on a peer-to-peer basis.
A method for providing interoperability among a plurality of taxonomies belonging to a domain is also provided. The method comprises a step of firstly standardizing the plurality of taxonomies by assigning a predetermined unique number to each taxonomic name, node and element. Next, periodically updating a mapping of each of the unique numbers against corresponding taxonomic name, node or element by using a plurality of business rules, the business rules defining one or more relationships between the standardized taxonomies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the method provides interoperability among a plurality of clinical error taxonomies.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of standardizing comprises performing it least one of the functions of addition or modification or deletion or a combination hereof on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies, on a peer-to-peer basis.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of periodically updating a mapping of each of the unique numbers against a corresponding taxonomic name, node or element comprises firstly, periodically checking if any one of the functions of addition or modification or deletion or a combination thereof have been performed on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies. Secondly, checking if a corresponding administrator approval has been received, if any of the functions of addition or modification or deletion or a combination thereof have been performed. Thirdly, updating the mapping of each of the unique numbers against a corresponding taxonomic name, node or element by using one or more of the business rules, if the administrator approval has been received.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of performing an addition function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies further comprises firstly prompting a user to select a node for adding a new taxonomic node or element from among one or more of the plurality of taxonomies. Secondly, prompting the user to assign a predefined number to the new taxonomic node or element by presenting a predefined number format, if the user selects a node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element. Thirdly, prompting the user to add a new node, corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element, to one or more of the plurality of taxonomies and assign a predefined number to the added new node by presenting a predefined number format, if the user does not select a node corresponding to the new taxonomic element. Next, prompting the user to add a new taxonomy, corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element, and standardize the added new taxonomy by assigning a unique predefined number to the taxonomic name, and each taxonomic node and element by presenting a predefined number format, if the user does not add a new node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of performing a modification function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies further comprises firstly prompting the user to select an existing taxonomic name, node or element for modification from among one or more of the plurality of taxonomies. Secondly, prompting the user to modify the selected taxonomic name, node or element. Thirdly, and prompting the user to modify the unique number assigned to the modified taxonomic name, node or element by presenting a predefined number format, if the modification of the unique number is required.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of performing a deletion function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies further comprises firstly, prompting the user to select an existing taxonomic name, node or element for deletion from among one or more of the plurality of taxonomies. Secondly, deleting the selected taxonomic name, node or element.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a method of performing a search function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies is also provided. The method comprises firstly, prompting the user to enter one or more search criterion for searching for one or more of taxonomic names, nodes or elements in one or more of the plurality of taxonomies, the search criterion being entered in a predefined format. Secondly, searching the one or more taxonomies based on the search criterion entered and thirdly, displaying one or more taxonomies resulting from the searching.
The present invention also provides a computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein for providing interoperability among a plurality of taxonomies belonging to a domain. The computer program product comprises program instruction means for standardizing the plurality of taxonomies by assigning a predetermined unique number to each taxonomic name, node and element; and program instruction means for periodically updating a mapping of each of the unique numbers against a corresponding taxonomic name, node or element by using a plurality of business rules, the business rules defining one or more relationships between the standardized taxonomies.
Brief description of the accompanying drawings
The present invention is described by way of embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 illustrates a system for providing interoperability among a plurality of heterogeneous taxonomies belonging to a domain;
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary clinical error taxonomy;

FIG. 3 illustrates a scheme of assigning a unique number to each node and element of a taxonomy;
FIG. 4 illustrates a method of providing interoperability among a plurality of heterogeneous taxonomies belonging to a domain;
FIG. 5 illustrates a method of periodically updating a mapping of unique numbers against corresponding nodes or elements;
FIG. 6 illustrates a method of creating a unique account for each new user;
FIG. 7 A and 7B illustrate a method of performing an addition function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies;
FIG. 8 illustrates a method of performing a modification function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies;
FIG, 9 illustrates a method of performing a deletion function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies; and
FIG. 10 illustrates a method of performing a search function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies.
Detailed description of the invention
A system, a method and a computer program product for providing interoperability among a plurality of heterogeneous taxonomies belonging to a domain are described herein. The present disclosure is more specifically directed towards providing interoperability among a plurality of clinical error taxonomies originating from diverse sections of an organization. An exemplary scenario in which the present invention may be implemented is a medical set-up comprising a plurality of departments wherein each department has its own clinical error taxonomy. A taxonomy belonging to a first department may syntactically differ from

a taxonomy of a second department. Such difference may arise due to departments following different nomenclature schemes to define a particular clinical error.
The system, method and computer program product disclosed provide interoperability across a plurality of heterogeneous taxonomies of each department by numerically classifying the plurality of taxonomies and thereby providing a translation layer over them. Hence, the present invention enables a user belonging to a first department to perform the same set of functions that he may perform on a taxonomy belonging to the first department, on a taxonomy belonging to a second department. Such functions may comprise addition, modification, deletion and search.
The disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Exemplary embodiments herein are provided only for illustrative purposes and various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The terminology and phraseology used herein is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have been briefly described or omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
The present invention would now be discussed in context of embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 illustrates a system 100 for providing interoperability among a plurality of heterogeneous taxonomies belonging to a domain. In an embodiment of the present invention, system 100 provides interoperability among a plurality of taxonomies in the domain of clinical errors. System 100 comprises a classification layer 102, and a translation layer 104. In various embodiments of the present invention, system 100 is provided to users 106,108 via a network such as the internet or an intranet.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary clinical error taxonomy. 'Family Practice Errors' 202 is a name given to the taxonomy. The name indicates a category of clinical errors classified under the taxonomy. Types of clinical errors are referred to as nodes of a taxonomy in the present disclosure. Examples of nodes of a taxonomy comprise 'Process Errors' 204, 'Investigations' 206, 'Chart completeness' 208 and 'Record(s) unavailable' 210. Discreet instances of clinical errors are referred to as elements of a taxonomy in the present disclosure. An example of an element of a taxonomy comprises an instance of an injury caused to a patient by administering a medicine to which the patient is allergic, due to unavailability of complete records of the patient.
With reference to FIG. 1 the classification layer 102 standardizes a plurality of heterogeneous taxonomies, such as the clinical error taxonomy illustrated in FIG. 2, by assigning a unique number to each taxonomic name, node and element of the plurality of taxonomies. In an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the taxonomies are standardized by assigning an eighteen bit number to every taxonomic name, node and element. FIG. 3 illustrates a scheme of assigning a unique number to every taxonomic name, node and element, of the plurality of taxonomies. The three leftmost bits are used to define a name of taxonomy, for example, '100* is assigned to 'Family Practice Errors', Other taxonomies may be assigned numbers in seriatim. The present embodiment permits 999 taxonomies to be standardized.
The scheme of assigning unique numbers is described herein with a reference to the standardized clinical error taxonomy illustrated in FIG. 2. The three bits adjacent to the leftmost bits of the eighteen bit number i.e. bit 4, bit 5 and bit 6, are used to define the highest node of the taxonomy. For example, the number '100 001 000 000 000 000' is assigned to the type of family practice errors classified under the head of 'Process Errors' and the number '100 002 000 000 000 000' is assigned to the type of family practice errors classified under the head of 'Knowledge and Skill Errors'. The next three adjacent bits i.e. bit 7, bit 8 and bit 9 are used to define nodes of the taxonomy classified under the highest node. For example, the number '100 001 001 000 000 000' is assigned to the type of family practice errors classified under the head of 'Investigations', which head is classified under the higher level node 'Process Errors'. The number '100 001 005 000 000 000' is assigned to the type of family practice errors classified under the head of 'Office

administration', which head is also classified under the higher level node 'Process Errors'. Next the number '100 001 005 001 000 000' is assigned to the type of family practice errors classified under the node 'Filing system' and the number '100 001 005 002 000 000' is assigned to the type of family practice errors classified under the node 'Chart completeness', both falling under the head of 'Office administration'. The number '100 001 005 002 002 000' is assigned to the type of family practice errors classified under the node 'Care given but not documented' under the head of 'Chart completeness'. The remaining bits of the eighteen bit number are assigned to further sub-nodes and elements of the taxonomy in a similar fashion.
In various embodiments of the present invention, the standardized taxonomies are stored in a repository. The repository may be centralized or distributed. The repository may be any of commonly available databases. With reference to FIG. 1, translation layer 104 comprises a mapping of each of the unique numbers assigned, against a corresponding taxonomic name, node or element. Translation layer 104 also comprises a plurality of business rules that define one or more relationships between the standardized taxonomies. Classification layer 102 and translation layer 104 are periodically synchronized by using one or more of the business rules.
In an embodiment of the present invention, standardizing a taxonomy comprises performing at least one of the functions of addition or modification or deletion, or a combination thereof, on the taxonomy. In various embodiments of the present invention the standardization is performed by users 106, 108 of system 100 based on a peer-to-peer model. In various embodiments of the present invention, business rules may be developed for performing one or more of the functions of addition or modification or deletion, or a combination thereof.
An exemplary business rule for synchronizing the classification layer 102 and the translation layer 104 is as follows:
Synchronize once every 24 hours with classification layer 102;
if a 'new' taxonomic element or node has been added in classification layer 102
and an administrator's approval has been received permitting the addition

then extract the 'new* taxonomic element or node to the translation layer
104;
compare the 18 bit number assigned to the extracted taxonomic element or
node with the unique numbers listed in the mapping, compare each bit of
the 18 bit number starting with the leftmost bit;
if the 18 bit number being compared is unique
then list it and map the corresponding extracted taxonomic element or node against it; else map the extracted taxonomic element or node against the 18 bit number found already listed;
if an 'existing' taxonomic element or node has been modified in classification layer 102 and an administrator's approval has been received permitting the modification
then extract the 'modified' taxonomic element or node to translation layer 104;
compare the 18 bit number assigned to the extracted taxonomic element or node with the unique numbers listed in the mapping, compare each bit of the 18 bit number starting with the leftmost bit; if the 18 bit number being compared is unique
then list it and map the extracted modified taxonomic element or node against it;
else map the extracted modified taxonomic element or node against the 18 bit number found already listed; else
if a taxonomic element or node has been deleted in classification layer 102 and an administrator's approval has been received permitting the deletion
then the administrator removes the deleted taxonomic element or node along with the corresponding 18 bit number, from the mapping.
FIG. 4 illustrates a method of providing interoperability among a plurality of heterogeneous taxonomies belonging to a domain. In an embodiment of the present

invention, interoperability is provided among a plurality of clinical error taxonomies. At step 402 each one of the plurality of taxonomies is standardized by assigning a predefined unique number to each taxonomic name, node and element. In an embodiment of the present invention, the unique number is an eighteen bit number. In various embodiments of the present invention, the standardized taxonomies are stored in a repository. The standardized taxonomies may be stored in any of commonly available databases, on a central server or may be distributed among a plurality of servers. At step 404 a mapping of unique numbers against corresponding taxonomic names, nodes or elements is periodically updated by using one or more of a plurality of business rules.
In various embodiments of the present invention, the step of standardizing taxonomies comprises performing at least one of the functions of addition or modification or deletion or a combination thereof, on one or more of the taxonomies. Said functions are performed by users of the present invention based on a peer-to-peer model. In the present disclosure, the term “peer-to-peer model” refers to a model wherein a plurality of users may perform addition, deletion, or modification on one or more of the standardized taxonomies. The addition, deletion or modification takes effect only after receiving an approval by an administrator. In various embodiments of the present invention, one or more business rules may be defined for performing the functions of addition or modification or deletion or a combination thereof.
FIG. 5 illustrates a method of periodically updating a mapping of unique numbers against corresponding taxonomic names, nodes or elements, by using one or more of a plurality of business rules. At step 502 a periodic check is performed to ensure if any one of the functions of addition, modification and deletion have been performed on one or more of the standardized taxonomies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the check may be performed at intervals of twenty four hours. At step 504 a check is performed to ensure if a corresponding administrator approval has been received permitting the addition, modification or deletion function, if any one of these functions has been performed at step 502, At step 506 the mapping of unique numbers against the corresponding taxonomic names, nodes or elements is updated by using one or more of the business rules, if the administrator approval has been received at step 504. An exemplary business rule used for

periodically updating the mapping has been described in a preceding section of this disclosure.
FIG. 6 illustrates a method of creating a unique account for each new user. At step 602 a user is prompted to provide registration information in a predefined format. The registration information comprises a unique username and password in addition to other personal information such as, name, name of organization, email address etc. At step 604 a check is performed to ensure whether the user has provided all required information in the predefined format. At step 606 an administrator's approval is sought for creating the user's account, if the user has provided all required information in the predefined format. If the administrator approves the account creation, then at step 608, the registration information is stored in a repository. At step 610 the account creation is confirmed by informing the user of the unique username and the corresponding password. In an embodiment of the present invention, an email is sent to the user disclosing the unique username and corresponding password, enabling the user to activate the account.
FIG. 7A and 7B illustrate a method of performing an addition function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies. In various embodiments of the present invention, a user may either add one or more of new taxonomic elements or else one or more of new nodes to the stored standardized taxonomies. At step 702 a user is logged in. The step of logging in comprises prompting a user to provide a username and a password, which are compared with stored usernames and corresponding passwords. If a match is found the user is logged in.
At step 704 the user is prompted to select a node corresponding to a new taxonomic node or element that the user intends to add to one or more of the standardized taxonomies from among the standardized taxonomies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user is prompted to do so by displaying a list of names of all the standardized taxonomies, and prompting the user to select one or more of the taxonomies from the list. Next, the one or more selected taxonomies are displayed and the user is prompted to select at least one node under which the new taxonomic node or element may be classified, from among the displayed taxonomies.

At step 706 a check is performed to ensure whether the user has selected a node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element. At step 708 the user is prompted to assign a unique predefined number to the new taxonomic node or element, if the user selects a node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element at step 706. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user is prompted to confirm the selection made at step 706 and step 708 is performed only after the confirmation is made. The unique number assigned to the new taxonomic node or element, is based on the unique number of the node that is selected by the user at step 706.
At step 710 the user is prompted to add a new node under which the new taxonomic node or element may be classified, to one or more of the standardized taxonomies, if the user does not select a node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element at step 706. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user is prompted to do so by displaying a list of the names of all the standardized taxonomies, and prompting the user to select one or more of the taxonomies to which the new node may be added, from the list. At step 712 a check is performed to ensure whether the user has added a new node to one or more of the standardized taxonomies, the new node being one under which the new taxonomic node or element may be classified. At step 714 the user is prompted to assign unique predefined numbers to the added new node and the classified new taxonomic node or element, if the user adds a new node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element at step 712. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user is prompted to confirm the addition made at step 712 and step 714 is performed only after the confirmation is made. The unique numbers assigned to new taxonomic nodes and elements are based on the unique number assigned to the one or more standardized taxonomies selected by the user.
At step 716 an administrator's approval is sought for adding new taxonomic nodes or elements to one or more of the stored standardized taxonomies. At step 718 the new taxonomic nodes or elements is added to the one or more stored standardized taxonomies, if the administrator's approval is received at step 716. At step 720 the user is informed of the status of the addition function performed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, if the user does not add a new node under which the new taxonomic node or element may be classified at step 712, then at step 722

the user is prompted to add a new taxonomy under which the new taxonomic node or element may be classified. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user is also prompted to give a name to the added taxonomy and add one or more nodes to the added taxonomy. At step 724 a check is performed to ensure whether the user has added a new taxonomy under which the new taxonomic node or element may be classified. If the user has added a new taxonomy at step 724 and the new taxonomic node or element has been classified under the new taxonomy, then at step 726 the user is prompted to standardize the new taxonomy by assigning a unique predefined number to the taxonomic name and each taxonomic node and element. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user is prompted to confirm the addition of the new taxonomy and the step of standardizing the new taxonomy is performed only after the confirmation is made.
At step 728 an administrator's approval is sought for adding a new taxonomy to a repository of stored standardized taxonomies. If the administrator's approval is received at step 728, then at step 730 the new taxonomy is added to the repository of stored standardized taxonomies. Next, step 720 is performed, wherein the user is informed of the status of the addition function performed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, an addition function may be performed by a user by adding a new taxonomy to a repository of stored taxonomies. The user is prompted to give a name to the added taxonomy and add one or more nodes to the added taxonomy. Next, the user is prompted to standardize the new taxonomy by assigning a unique predefined number to the taxonomic name and each taxonomic node or element. A predefined number format is presented to the user for standardizing the added new taxonomy. The new standardized taxonomy is stored only after receiving approval from an administrator.
In an embodiment of the present invention, step 720 is performed by either displaying one or more of the standardized taxonomies to which one or more new taxonomic nodes or elements have been added, or by displaying one or more of the new standardized taxonomies which have been added by the user. In another embodiment of the present invention the user is informed of the status of the addition function performed by sending an email to the user. The status comprises information such as whether the addition

function has been performed or not, and the unique number assigned to the new taxonomic element or the new node added.
FIG. 8 illustrates a method of performing a modification function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies. In various embodiments of the present invention, a user may modify one or more of the taxonomic names, nodes or elements of the stored standardized taxonomies. At step 802 a user is logged in. The step of logging in comprises prompting a user to provide a username and a password, which are compared with stored usernames and corresponding passwords. If a match is found the user is logged in.
At step 804 the user is prompted to select a taxonomic name, node or element that the user intends to modify from among one or more of the standardized taxonomies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user is prompted to do so by displaying a list of names of all the standardized taxonomies, and prompting the user to select one or more of the taxonomies from the list. Next, the one or more selected taxonomies are displayed and the user is prompted to select at least one name, node or element that the user intends to modify, from among the displayed taxonomies.
At step 806 a check is performed to ensure whether the user has selected a taxonomic name, node or element that the user intends to modify from among one or more of the standardized taxonomies. At step 808 the user is prompted to modify the selected taxonomic name, node or element, if the user makes a selection at step 806.
At step 810 a check is performed to ensure if the modification made at step 808 requires a modification of the unique number assigned to the modified taxonomic element or node. An example wherein a modification of the unique number assigned to the modified taxonomic element may be required is when the modified taxonomic element was classified under a first node prior to the modification at step 808 and has been classified under a second node after the modification at step 808. An example wherein a modification of the unique number assigned to the modified node may be required is when the modified node was classified under a first higher level node prior to the modification at step 808 and has been classified under a second higher level node after the modification at step 808.

At step 812 the user is prompted to modify the unique number assigned to the modified taxonomic name, node or element, if such modification of the unique number is required at step 810. In various embodiments of the present invention, the unique number is modified using a predefined format, which is based on the new node or higher level node under which the modified taxonomic element or node is respectively classified after the modification at step 808.
At step 814 an administrator's approval is sought for performing the modification function at step 808 to one or more of the stored standardized taxonomies, If the administrator's approval is received at step 814, then at step 816 the modified taxonomic element or the modified node is recorded in one or more of the stored standardized taxonomies. At step 818 the user is informed of the status of the modification function performed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, step 818 is performed by displaying the one or more standardized taxonomies in which the modified taxonomic name, node or element is recorded. In another embodiment of the present invention, the user is informed of the status of the modification function performed by sending an email to the user. The status comprises information such as whether the modification function has been performed or not, and the unique number assigned to the modified taxonomic name, node or element.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a user may be prompted to send a report comprising details of one or more modification functions performed by him to the administrator. The details may comprise logical steps leading to performing the modification function. The report may be send to the administrator via email.
FIG. 9 illustrates a method of performing a deletion function on one or more of the standardized taxonomies. In various embodiments of the present invention, a user may delete one or more of the taxonomic names, nodes or elements of the stored standardized taxonomies. At step 902 a user is logged in. The step of logging in comprises prompting a user to provide a username and a password, which are^ compared with stored usernames and corresponding passwords. If a match is found the user is logged in.

At step 904 the user is prompted to select a taxonomic name, node or element that the user intends to delete from among one or more of the standardized taxonomies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user is prompted to do so by displaying a list of names of all the standardized taxonomies, and prompting the user to select one or more of the taxonomies from the list. Next, the one or more selected taxonomies are displayed and the user is prompted to select at least one taxonomic name, node or element that the user intends to delete, from among the displayed taxonomies.
At step 906 a check is performed to ensure whether the user has selected a taxonomic name, node or element for deletion from among the one or more standardized taxonomies. At step 908 the user is prompted to delete the selected taxonomic name, node or element, if the user makes a selection at step 906.
At step 910 a check is performed to ensure if the deletion made at step 908 requires a modification of the unique number assigned to a taxonomic name, node or element, from which taxonomy a node has been deleted at step 908. An example wherein a modification of the unique number assigned to a taxonomic element may be required is when after deletion of a first node under which the taxonomic element was classified prior to the deletion at step 908, the taxonomic element has been classified under a second node. An example wherein a modification of the unique number assigned to a node may be required is when after deletion of a first higher level node under which the node was classified prior to the deletion at step 908, the node is classified under a second higher level node.
At step 912 the user is prompted to modify the unique number assigned to one or more of taxonomic names, nodes or elements, of one or more taxonomies, on which taxonomies a deletion function has been performed at step 908, if such modification of the unique number is required at step 910. In various embodiments of the present invention, the unique number is modified using a predefined format.
At step 914 an administrator's approval is sought for performing the deletion function of step 908 and the modification function of step 912, on one or more of the stored standardized taxonomies. If the administrator's approval is received at step 914, then at step 916 the selected taxonomic name, node or element is deleted from the one or more

stored standardized taxonomies. Also the modification function of step 912 is effected on one or more of the stored standardized taxonomies only after receiving the administrator's approval at step 914. At step 918 the user is informed of the status of the deletion and/or modification functions performed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, step 918 is performed by displaying the one or more standardized taxonomies from which the selected taxonomic name, node or element is deleted. In another embodiment of the present invention, the user is informed of the status of the deletion function performed by sending an email to the user. The status comprises information such as whether the deletion function has been performed or not, and the deletion and modification functions performed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a user may be prompted to send a report comprising details of one or more deletion functions performed by him to the administrator. The details may comprise logical steps leading to performing the deletion function. The report may be send to the administrator via email.
FIG. 10 illustrates a method of performing a search function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies. At step 1002 a user is logged in. The step of logging in comprises prompting a user to provide a username and a password, which are compared with stored usernames and corresponding passwords. If a match is found the user is logged in.
At step 1004 the user is prompted to enter one or more search criterion for searching for one or more taxonomic names, nodes or elements in the standardized taxonomies. In various embodiments of the present invention, the search criteria may be keywords or 18 bit numbers or combinations thereof. The search criteria are required to be entered in a correct format as is predefined by an administrator.
At step 1006 the stored standardized taxonomies are searched based on the search criterion entered at step 1004. Next, at step 1006 one or more taxonomies resulting from the search are displayed to the user. If the search performed at step 1006 does not result in any standardized taxonomy being displayed, a message conveying the same is displayed to the user.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a unique transaction identification is assigned to a user every time the user logs in for performing one or more of the functions of addition, modification, deletion and search, on one or more standardized taxonomies. The unique transaction identification may be numeric, alphabetic or alphanumeric. The unique transaction identification may be used by the users to track a transaction. For example, by feeding in a unique transaction identification, the user may obtain a report describing whether one or more of addition, modification or deletion functions performed by the user have been effected in one or more of the stored standardized taxonomies or not. The unique transaction identification may be used by the administrator to administer a user's activity over a period of time.
In various embodiments of the present invention, reports may be generated by a user as well as an administrator. The reports generated by a user may comprise a clinical error taxonomy structure, a list of new clinical error taxonomies, unique numbers corresponding to taxonomy elements etc. Reports generated by the administrator may comprise lists of new taxonomy elements added between a first and a second date, taxonomic elements or nodes added, modified or deleted by users etc.
The present invention may be implemented in numerous ways including as a system, a method, or a computer readable medium such as a computer readable storage medium or a computer network wherein programming instructions are communicated from a remote location.
The system, method and computer program product for providing interoperability among a plurality of heterogeneous taxonomies as described herein are particularly well suited for use with clinical error taxonomies, however, may be applied to taxonomies in other domains by performing minor modifications as would be apparent to a person of skill in the art.
While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that they are merely illustrative. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modification from and detail may be made therein

without departing from or offending the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
1. A system for providing interoperability among a plurality of taxonomies belonging to a domain, the system comprising:
a classification layer for standardizing the taxonomies by assigning a predetermined unique number to each taxonomic name, node and element; and
a translation layer logically coupled with the classification layer, the translation layer comprising:
a mapping of each of the unique numbers against a corresponding taxonomic name, node or element; and
a plurality of business rules for defining one or more relationships between the standardized taxonomies.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a repository for storing the standardized taxonomies.
3. The system of claim 1 providing interoperability among a plurality of taxonomies in the domain of clinical errors.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the classification layer performs at least one of the functions of addition or deletion or modification or a combination thereof on one or more of the standardized taxonomies on a peer-to-peer basis.
5. A method for providing interoperability among a plurality of taxonomies belonging to a domain, the method comprising the steps of:
standardizing the plurality of taxonomies by assigning a predetermined unique number to each taxonomic name, node and element; and
periodically updating a mapping of each of the unique numbers against a corresponding taxonomic name, node or element by using a plurality of business rules, the business rules defining one or more relationships between the standardized taxonomies.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of storing the standardized taxonomies.
7. The method of claim 5 providing interoperability among a plurality of clinical error taxonomies.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of standardizing comprises performing at least one of the functions of addition or modification or deletion or a combination thereof on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies on a peer-to-peer basis.
9. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of periodically updating a mapping of each of the unique numbers against a corresponding taxonomic name, node or element comprises the steps of:
periodically checking if any of the functions of addition or modification or deletion or a combination thereof have been performed on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies;
checking if a corresponding administrator approval has been received, if any one of the functions of addition or modification or deletion or a combination thereof have been performed; and
updating the mapping of each of the unique numbers against a corresponding taxonomic name, node or element by using one or more of the business rules, if the administrator approval has been received.
10. The method of claim 5 further comprising creating a unique user account for each new user, the account being created if the user provides registration information in a predetermined format and an administrator approves the account creation.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of performing an addition function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies further comprises the steps of:
prompting a user to select a node for adding a new taxonomic node or element from among one or more of the plurality of taxonomies;

prompting the user to assign a predefined number to the new taxonomic node or element by presenting a predefined number format, if the user selects a node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element;
prompting the user to:
add a new node in one or more of the plurality of taxonomies, the added new node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element; and
assign a predefined number to the added new node by presenting a predefined number format;
if the user does not select a node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element; and prompting the user to:
add a new taxonomy, corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element, and
standardize the added new taxonomy by assigning a unique predefined number to the taxonomic name, and each taxonomic node and element by presenting a predefined number format, if the user does not add a new node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of adding a new taxonomy, or taxonomic node or element only after receiving approval from an administrator.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of performing an addition function comprises adding a new taxonomy and standardizing the added new taxonomy by assigning a unique predefined number to at least a taxonomic name by presenting a predefined number format, the new standardized taxonomy being stored only after receiving approval from an administrator.
14. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of performing a modification function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies further comprises the steps of:
prompting a user to select an existing taxonomic name, node or element for modification from among one or more of the plurality of taxonomies;

prompting the user to modify the selected taxonomic name, node or element; and
prompting the user to modify the unique number assigned to the modified taxonomic name, node or element by presenting a predefined number format, if the modification of the unique number is required.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of modifying an existing taxonomic name, node or element in one or more of the plurality of taxonomies only after receiving approval from an administrator.
16. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of performing a deletion function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies further comprises the steps of:
prompting a user to select an existing taxonomic name, node or element for deletion from among one or more of the plurality of taxonomies; and deleting the selected taxonomic name, node or element.
17. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of performing a deletion function comprises deleting a taxonomy from among one or more of the plurality of taxonomies, the taxonomy being deleted only after receiving approval from an administrator.
18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of deleting an existing taxonomic name, node or element from among one or more of the plurality of taxonomies only after receiving approval from an administrator.
19. The method of claim 8 further comprising performing a search function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies comprising the steps of:
prompting a user to enter one or more search criterion for searching for one or more of taxonomic names, nodes or elements in one or more of the plurality of taxonomies, the search criterion being entered in a predefined format;
searching the one or more taxonomies based on the search criterion entered; and
displaying one or more taxonomies resulting from the searching.

20. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein for providing interoperability among a plurality of taxonomies belonging to a domain, the computer program product comprising:
program instruction means for standardizing the plurality of taxonomies by assigning a predetermined unique number to each taxonomic name, node and element; and
program instruction means for periodically updating a mapping of each of the unique numbers against a corresponding taxonomic name, node or element by using a plurality of business rules, the business rules defining one or more relationships between the standardized taxonomies.
21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the program instruction means for standardizing the plurality of taxonomies comprise program instruction means for performing at least one of the functions of addition or modification or deletion or a combination thereof on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies, on a peer-to-peer basis.
22. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the program instruction means for periodically updating a mapping of each of the unique numbers against a corresponding taxonomic name, node or element comprises;
program instruction means for periodically checking if any one of the functions of addition or modification or deletion or a combination thereof have been performed on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies;
program instruction means for checking if a corresponding administrator approval has been received, if any one of the functions of addition or modification or deletion or a combination thereof have been performed; and
program instruction means for updating the mapping of each of the unique numbers against a corresponding taxonomic name, node or element by using one or more of the business rules, if the administrator approval has been received.

23. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the program instruction means for performing an addition function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies further comprises:
program instruction means for prompting a user to select a node for adding a new taxonomic node or element from among one or more of the plurality of taxonomies;
program instruction means for prompting the user to assign a predefined number to the new taxonomic node or element by presenting a predefined number format, if the user selects a node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element;
program instruction means for prompting the user to:
add a new node in one or more of the plurality of taxonomies, the added new node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element; and
assign a predefined number to the added new node by presenting a predefined number format;
if the user does not select a node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element; and
program instruction means for prompting the user to:
add a new taxonomy, corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element, and
standardize the added new taxonomy by assigning a unique predefined number to the taxonomic name, and each taxonomic node and element by presenting a predefined number format, if the user does not add a new node corresponding to the new taxonomic node or element.
24. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the program instruction means for performing a modification function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies further comprises:
program instruction means for prompting a user to select an existing taxonomic name, node or element for modification from among one or more of the plurality of taxonomies;

program instruction means for prompting the user to modify the selected taxonomic name, node or element; and
program instruction means for prompting the user to modify the unique number assigned to the modified taxonomic name, node or element by presenting a predefined number format, if the modification of the unique number is required.
25. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the program instruction means for performing a deletion function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies further comprises:
program instruction means for prompting a user to select an existing taxonomic name, node or element for deletion from among one or more of the plurality of taxonomies; and
program instruction means for deleting the selected taxonomic name, node or element.
26. The computer program product of claim 21, further comprising program instruction means for performing a search function on one or more of the plurality of taxonomies comprising;
program instruction means for prompting a user to enter one or more search criterion for searching for one or more of taxonomic names, nodes or elements in one or more of the plurality of taxonomies, the search criterion being entered in a predefined format;
program instruction means for searching the one or more taxonomies based on the search criterion entered; and
program instruction means for displaying one or more taxonomies resulting from the searching.