Advanced Search

The advanced search allows more refined queries than the quick or the filter search. Search criteria can be specified by pre-set options in the dialog (e.g. inactive status) or with advanced query syntax (e.g. boolean operators, ESCG). Besides querying for SNOMED CT concepts, descriptions and reference sets, it's also possible to search in ATC, LOINC, ICD-10, ICD-10-AM, local code systems, value domains, files and tasks.

The results are displayed in the Search view from which the respective editors can be opened.

Search Dialog

The Advanced search dialog can be invoked by clicking on the Search button in the main toolbar, or from the main menu (Search > Search). The upper section consists of tabs which are used to navigate to the respective search dialogs:

Advanced search dialog

If you want to show less tabs, click on Customize and select the tabs you want to display.

Customizing advanced search tabs

Check the boxes to refine your search based on Concept ID, Fully specified name, Synonym, Preferred term or use a combination of these. Use the drop down boxes to restrict the search to the concept status (active, inactive) or a particular the top-level hierarchy (e.g. Clinical finding). The search is not case sensitive.

SNOMED CT search

More advanced users can make use of query syntax:

Wildcards can be combined within the query expression. The importance of certain query terms can also be boosted:

The ESCG tab can be used to execute ESCG query script.

ESCG query

Besides SNOMED CT concepts you can also search for SNOMED CT descriptions both by description ID or term. The results are listed in the search view where they can be filtered by description type (e.g. synonym),r status (active, inactive) or module. Double-clicking on a description opens the corresponding concept in a concept editor, where the description can further be reviewed and edited.

Description search dialog

You can search for reference sets based on their Identifier Concept ID or reference set label (name of the reference set). The search can be refined by selecting their referenced component type: for example, concepts (like most of the reference sets), descriptions (like the language reference set), or reference set type (simple type, simple map, etc.). Double-clicking on any reference set listed in the search results opens the corresponding reference set editor, where the reference set can further be reviewed and edited.

Reference set search dialog and corresponding search view

Search view

The results of the advanced search are listed in the search view. By default, results are sorted based on a similarity score, but you can change the sorting by clicking on the column headers. The results can be further filtered by typing text in the filter text field on the top of the view. The header of the view shows information about the query, such as the search term, number of results and execution time.

Search view displaying results for "diabetes"

Double clicking on a concept displayed within the search results opens it in the concept editor. Right-clicking on a concept in the result list the context menu reveals the following actions:

Search view context menu