MOS-NOS Library

A library of semantic components to improve interoperability

What is MOS-NOS?

The Health Objects Model (MOS) and its associated nomenclatures (NOS) make up a library of semantic components which centralises basic definitions, names, structures and coding for the health sector. It is used in information systems and exchanges in the sanitary, medico-social and social work sectors.

The library is divided in 2 parts: 

  • A list of core components
  • Their implementation in different contexts

This core French vocabulary affords the same understanding of the concept being manipulated, regardless of the information system from which it originates.

The MOS and NOS are an integral part of the global push for digital harmonisation in the health sector. One of the purposes of this initiative is to promote new projects and avoid the proliferation of point-to-point interfaces, which tend to be very costly and inefficient for the community as a whole.

eHealth stakeholders are encouraged to use the MOS and NOS for 3 main reasons:

  • Enhance the interoperability of information systems by harmonising names, attributes, codes and nomenclatures;
  • Share the same understanding of the information, whichever directory or reference document it is taken from;
  • Facilitate the specification, analysis and conception of a project.

MOS and NOS fit within the ANS’s goal to create conditions conducive to the development and adoption of eHealth solutions and services. The library is openly accessible online.

Discover and use MOS-NOS

The MOS is a collection of concepts described homogeneously and neutrally in terms of technologies. It offers a common description of the information processed and exchanged in the information systems.  
The overall consistency of the MOS is founded on the definition and description of its UML (Unified Modelling Language) concepts.

Some MOS concepts can be coded. They are associated with the nomenclatures of health objects (NOS), i.e. lists of codes/labels.

The definitions are published in French and accessible on the ANS website.

MOS-NOS in numbers

100 Classes are included in the MOS, for a total of 808 attributes

12 Issues a year: in continuous development, the MOS and NOS are published each month with an updates summary

428 NOS in total. The nomenclatures are available in the following formats: CSV, JSON/FHIR, XML/FHIR, XML/SVS and PDF

Key service dates

2016

MOS and NOS are published for the first time

2019-2020

A new “Implementation” chapter shows the use of MOS components in specific contexts. Role descriptions are added into the NOS codes.

2021

Concepts and nomenclatures are created for new services: medico-social, shared calendar management, care circle, and medical devices.

Videos

Webinaire ANS | Modèle et nomenclatures des objets de santé, méthodes

Webinaire ANS | Méthode d'élaboration des spécifications fonctionnelles des échanges - 2 mars 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

The ANS answers the most common questions about MOS-NOS

[ Date de mise à jour : ]

Health professionals are encouraged to use MOS and NOS for three main reasons :

  • enhance the interoperability of information systems by harmonising names, attributes, codes and nomenclatures;
  • share the same understanding of the information, regardless of which directory or reference document it is taken from;
  • facilitate the specification, analysis and conception of a project. 

The ANS offers training on MOS-NOS and the elaboration method for exchanges’ functional specs (see our Documentation section).

The illustration below gives you examples of the types of professionals using the MOS-NOS: 



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[ Date de mise à jour : ]

The MOS is a collection of concepts described homogeneously and neutrally in terms of technologies. It offers a common description of the information processed and exchanged in the information systems to make digital communication easier.

The overall consistency of the MOS is founded on the definition and description of its UML (Unified Modelling Language) concepts.

Some MOS concepts can be coded. They are associated with the nomenclatures of health objects (NOS), i.e. lists of codes/labels.

You are encouraged to use MOS and NOS to :

  • optimise and coordinate efforts when you analyse or conceive a system (or an application) by re-using the same semantic components;
  • make sure there is consistency in your internal developments and with external systems, for the best possible interoperability.

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[ Date de mise à jour : ]

The European Commission’s studies have determined there is a need for a base vocabulary, such as MOS and NOS, which can be used as a starting point for:

  • develop and evolve information systems (IS) to formalise the conceptual and logical data they utilise (for instance, the MOS is a reference for the modelling of the RPPS);
  • share information between ISs to create specific models of data they can use (thus, the MOS is underlying the ROR exposure model);
  • combine and synthetise elements originating from different sources;
  • publish data in a common format, such as a directory or catalogue of service (for example, the Annuaire Santé / Health Pro Directory).

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