Any medic types? What does this abbreviation mean please?

[Loserinlove]

I had an allergic reaction to a drug when I was in hospital once and I have just seen in my records it says SN530 allergic reaction. I have googled but can’t find a definitive answer. Just wondered if anyone on here knows?

Hi Op, I work in medical records. This is the Snomed code for allergic reaction. Snomed is the coding system we use to record medical history onto the electronic records. Every illness/ailment/ surgery/medical event has its own specific code number.

It’s just the Read Code for an allergic reaction, not a clinical abbreviation.

Ah ok so it doesn’t ‘mean’ anything in terms of type/severity of an allergic reaction or anything?

No it doesn't mean anything really other than "allergic reaction". When I code allergies I make sure that I record exactly what the allergy was to (eg drug name, strength of tablets/medication etc) and also the severity and type of the reaction ie rash, swelling etc. Anaphylaxis should be coded separately also. I would recommend asking your GP surgery to ensure that the reaction is correctly and fully coded to
your electronic record. You would be surprised how often it is missed on discharge summaries.

It was a long time ago and the drug nearly killed me. No one ever really brings it up but I guess that is irrelevant as it isn’t a drug you would take on a day to day basis plus I have only once (after that) been in hospital and they did know as it said allergy on front of my notes and I had a red wrist band which I know means allergy.

I was quite young at the time and no one ever mentioned it or talked me through it (the allergic reaction). It was very traumatic but kind of brushed under the carpet hence why I wondered if it meant anything as I have just got the NHS app and i saw it on there

Actually it isn’t correct it has a 2019 date and says sensitivy then the drug name and says briefly what reaction I had (this was not 2019) then below that in another box it has the actual date I was in hospital and then says allergic reaction (sn530) adverse drug reaction NOS avoid nsai’s (which i know is anti inflammatories) but it was the drug that I had an allergic reaction to not any anti inflammatiories?

I'd speak to your GP.
After years of being told 'take ibuprofen' to me constantly repeating I can't because I'm allergic to them and codeine it's still not noted in my patient record!

When I was in labour I had a red band on as told them about allergies and they were going to give me ibuprofen. It's only my mums quick thinking as she was there that said no way, she can't have it!

Ok maybe I will next time I ring. I’m not a sucky person and didn’t want to waste their time hence asking in here but as I can see it in the app I will ask them about it.

*sicky

The 2019 date could be the date that someone updated your record with the adverse reaction info. They should have put in the date of the incident, but it's a common mistake as the date automatically defaults to the present unless you change it (on the system I use anyway). However I would certainly be concerned that there appears to be some confusion about the coding and whether the correct drug has been flagged up for adverse reaction. I would advise you to ask your GP surgery to review your notes and correct the coding if necessary. If you can provide the date (even just month/year) that it happened they will hopefully be able to locate the details. Ask to speak to the surgery manager or the practice summariser (if they have one).