Overview
ISO/TR 20831:2017 - "Health informatics - Medication management concepts and definitions" is a technical report from ISO/TC 215 that defines core concepts and terminology used in the pharmacy domain for creating medication lists from existing data. The document focuses on the semantic layer (meaning of terms) to ensure consistent interpretation of objects such as medication lists, medication profiles and medication statements across systems and stakeholders. It is informative (non‑normative) and does not prescribe data formats, transport mechanisms or infrastructure.
Key topics
- Scope and purpose: Clarifies concepts used when assembling medication lists from disparate sources.
- Terms and definitions: Authoritative definitions for concepts such as medication, prescription (as an information object), medication administration, medication statement, contraindication, health concern and sex (biological).
- Data elements relevant to medication management: Prescription data, dispense data, medication administration data, medication statement data, health concerns, contraindication risks, specific laboratory results, drug/alcohol use and smoking habits.
- Process steps: Logical workflow for medication list creation including data gathering, interpretation (making sense), verification, addition of data and carrying out/evaluating therapy.
- Types of medication lists and profiles: Definitions for unreconciled medication list, reconciled medication list, aggregated medication list, medication profile and medication management profile.
- Use case: Example storyboard for patient intake at hospital admission to illustrate practical application.
- Scope boundaries: Focuses on semantics; intentionally excludes syntax (formatting like CDA/HL7 structures) and logistical transport mechanisms.
Practical applications
ISO/TR 20831:2017 is intended to improve clarity and interoperability where medication information is exchanged or re-used. Practical uses include:
- Standardizing terminology for medication reconciliation and medication list creation.
- Guiding clinical informatics teams when mapping sources (EHRs, prescriptions, dispensing records) into a unified medication list.
- Supporting safer medication management workflows and clinical decision support by ensuring consistent meaning for terms like “reconciled medication list” or “medication statement.”
- Informing procurement/specifications for health IT systems to ensure semantic compatibility across vendors.
Who should use it
- Healthcare IT vendors and system architects (EHR, pharmacy systems)
- Clinical informaticians, pharmacists and medication safety officers
- Standards organizations and implementers (IHE, HL7)
- Health system architects and policy makers defining interoperability requirements
Related standards
- HL7 and IHE pharmacy work referenced in the report
- ISO 17523 (related definitions cited)
- ISO/TC 215 (Health informatics) activities and potential alignment with ISO 13940 (future consideration)
Keywords: ISO/TR 20831:2017, health informatics, medication management, medication lists, medication reconciliation, medication profile, prescription data, EHR interoperability.
