FHIR Terminology Server: Upgrades & Migration from Terminology Gateway

We are pleased to announce that enhancements to our FHIR Terminology Server are now available, a significant upgrade driven by your feedback and our commitment to excellence. This refined, cloud-based solution, fully compliant with HL7 FHIR standards, now offers even more seamless, standards-based access to terminology content, supporting scalable, secure, and interoperable healthcare data exchange across Canada. 

Concurrently, we are beginning the migration away from the Terminology Gateway, effective April 30, 2025, as part of our ongoing service optimization efforts. To ensure a seamless transition, we have prepared comprehensive updates, easy-to-follow transition steps, and helpful resources to support you throughout the process.

Enhanced FHIR Terminology Server Features – OntoCommand  

We’re pleased to introduce several new capabilities designed to enhance your experience and support your needs:

• Improved download options: Download CodeSystems in your preferred formats (e.g. SNOMED CT® RF2 zip package, pCLOCD, CCDD in Excel, HL7) and efficiently retrieve pan-Canadian ValueSets artifacts in CSV, JSON, or XML directly from the OntoCommand interface.
• Enhanced search and filtering: Quickly and accurately locate specific terminology content using our improved search capabilities.
• ValueSets Downloads and Change Reports: View and download membership with relevant detailed change reports with version-specific delta comparisons. 
• ValueSet Comparison: View both CodeSystem and ValueSet version-specific changes directly in OntoCommand.

To support you in getting started, we have provided comprehensive OntoCommand user documentation featuring step-by-step instructions for navigating the enhanced interface capabilities. Additionally, we have prepared a training video that offers a visual walkthrough of the OntoCommand enhancements, ensuring you gain a thorough understanding of its features.

Terminology Gateway Migration Details

To support the effective adoption of digital health standards on our national FHIR Terminology Server, we are migrating away from the Terminology Gateway, effective April 30, 2025.

As we transition to the Terminology Server, we want to ensure you have clear information on how this change will affect your workflow. While the majority of terminology content will move to the Terminology Server, PrescribeIT® content will remain in the Terminology Gateway and PrescribeIT® vendors will continue using the Gateway for PrescribeIT-related needs. However, PrescribeIT® vendors with other terminology-related business or requirements are encouraged to leverage the new Terminology Server as needed. These distinctions are important to ensure you are accessing the correct platform for your needs.

Action Required: Update Your Terminology Gateway Endpoints 

• To avoid disruptions to your workflow, please download any necessary content from the Terminology Gateway before April 30th.
• While we are implementing backend changes to automatically redirect ValueSet canonical and defining URLs, we strongly recommend that you directly update your system endpoints as well as FHIR Implementation Guides/ Interoperability Specifications referencing a Terminology Gateway URL  (e.g. any application system links, documentation, user guides, or websites, etc. that reference the Terminology Gateway, such as the Subset Defining URL (e.g. https://tgateway.infoway-inforoute.ca/vs/XX)). 

Below are key details to help prepare for the transition to the FHIR Terminology Server:

As of April 30, 2025:

• PrescribeIT®-Exclusive Access: Terminology Gateway will continue to support PrescribeIT® content beyond the migration date, with uninterrupted service for PrescribeIT® users. PrescribeIT® vendors with other terminology-related business or requirements are encouraged to leverage the new Terminology Server as needed.
• Terminology Content Transition: All standard terminology resources including SNOMED CT CA, pCLOCD, CCDD, and ValueSets will be exclusively available on the FHIR Terminology Server. 
• Canonical ValueSet FHIR URI and Subset Defining URL (non-PrescribeIT®): will be redirected to the OntoCommand user interface where you can view, search, and download ValueSets in multiple formats, including Excel, CSV, JSON, and XML.
• Updated FAQs: We will provide updated FAQs designed to offer guidance on integrated terminology resources, new features, and the migration from the Terminology Gateway. We kindly invite you to review these FAQs once the migration is complete. 

Why This Upgrade Matters

This upgrade demonstrates our commitment to providing robust, standards-based solutions that meet evolving healthcare needs, and we remain dedicated to supporting a seamless transition and long-term success through collaboration with Dedalus and our support partners. 

Our Enhanced FHIR Terminology Server now serves as a single source of truth for standardized healthcare terminologies, providing a centralized platform for managing and distributing high-quality international and pan-Canadian terminology content. Equipped with advanced features such as FHIR APIs, the Syndication API feed, and the Shrimp Browser, this server streamlines data collection and exchange. By consolidating all your terminology needs into one convenient interface, it ensures clinicians and stakeholders have access to accurate, up-to-date information, supporting seamless interoperability and improved healthcare coordination.

Maximize your Terminology Server Use

Our Training Resources Library offers a comprehensive collection of user guides, tutorial videos, and FAQs to help you make the most of the server's features and enhance your workflow.

Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. We look forward to supporting you throughout this new phase with the Enhanced FHIR Terminology Server.