DAPB4101: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Reporting Information Standard

For twenty years, PMIP EDIFACT, governed by the ISB 1557 EDIFACT Pathology Messaging Standard (Amd 39/2003 EDIFACT v1.003) has provided a reliable mechanism for supporting the data flow from laboratory information management systems (LIMS) to general practice.  However, PMIP EDIFACT is fundamentally limited because it is:  

• unable to carry SNOMED CT encoded test result concepts - it can only support Read v2 PBCL codes.  

• unable to support complex report structures containing fully atomic, coded results – data elements are mainly represented as text.  

• the continued use of PMIP EDIFACT is a significant barrier to new market entrants who struggle to implement a messaging technology that is over 20 years old, and not aligned with modern standards such as Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR).  

In the pathology report sent from laboratories to Primary Care, the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Reporting Information Standard will govern the use of SNOMED CT Observable entity concepts to represent specific pathology laboratory test result codes and SNOMED CT Procedure concepts to represent the specific laboratory test initially requested and panels/batteries of tests. To support complex pathology reporting structures containing fully atomic, coded results, the Information Standard will mandate the use of pathology-specific UK Core FHIR R4 profiles, the goal being the interoperable sharing of pathology reports for the purpose of direct care. 

This information standard is published under section 250 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. An Information Standards Notice (see below) provides an overview of scope and implementation timescales, and the requirements specification provides further detail for those who have to implement the information standard.