CORE

These data items will be applicable to most tumours and specimens reported by the histopathologist. Where these are mandatory they must be completed, however most data items are required, as such ‘if they are applicable to the specimen being reported’ they must be reported.

Note:

• it is important to refer to the pathology user guide if reporting pathology direct from the LIMS as there are different linkage items required

These items are Mandatory for every record in order to link patient records.

To ensure that records submitted can be linked appropriately, some key data fields must be completed for each record submitted. These are shown in the 'Core Linkage' section.

There will be one linkage section completed each time the record is submitted.

One of the following Core Linkage Identifier sections must be provided per record (1..1)

* A combination of either ‘NHS Number’ and/or ‘Local Patient Identifier’ are mandatory for the schema. Both can be submitted, but a record cannot be submitted without at least one of these data items.

The ‘NHS Number’ is a unique identifier for a patient within the NHS in England and Wales. This will not vary between any organisations of which a person is a patient.

Notes:

• almost all patients should have an NHS Number, and this should always be included where available
• for those who do not have an NHS Number, the hospital number (Local Patient Identifier) must be provided

For linkage purposes, ‘NHS Number’ and/or ‘Local Patient Identifier’ are required. This is a number used to identify a patient uniquely within a health care provider. It may be different from the patient's case note number and may be assigned automatically by the computer system.

The ‘NHS Number Status Indicator Code’ indicates the verification status of the NHS number provided.

The date on which a person was born or is officially deemed to have been born. This should be automatically linked via your local PAS or EPR system when you create a record for the first time.

The ‘Organisation Identifier’ of the organisation acting as a health care provider (an6 not applicable to COSD). This is the 3 or 5-digit code of the organisation submitting the demographic details. This will therefore normally be either the organisation where the referral is received or the treating organisation.

Notes:

• there is a new code structure (ANANA) for new organisation identifiers allocated by ODS from 01 September 2020 onwards
• codes issued prior to this date will not be converted
• details of changes to ODR codes can be found on the ODS Portal

Demographic details are required for every record in order to ensure that the correct patient can be identified, and information can be correctly linked. The Demographics section should be completed by every Provider the first time a record is submitted.

There will only be one Demographics section completed for each record. Demographic linkage items will be required each time the record is submitted.

It is anticipated that some of the demographic data items listed below will be collected by every provider with which the patient has contact. Where this information is exchanged, the appropriate data item name should be used.

May be up to one occurrence per record (0..1)

That part of a person's name which is used to describe family, clan, tribal group, or marital association.

The forename(s) or given name(s) of a person.

The patient usual address of the patient at the time of patient diagnosis.

The postcode of usual address of the patient at the time of patient diagnosis.

Person's gender as self-declared (or inferred by observation for those unable to declare their ‘Person Stated Gender’).