Streamlining the lab connection

Friday 11th May 2007

The implementation of lab interfaces in the ambulatory setting remains a costly and time-consuming challenge for labs, EHR vendors and their physician customers. On Monday 21 May at 9:45 am, the TEPR Technology Track will feature a session on this new messaging specification, recently balloted as an HL7 standard, that is intended to reduce significantly this level of effort, as well as increase the value of electronic lab data.

The ELINCS-HL7 specification provides a level of detail and specificity that is greater than existing national standards and can advance ambulatory lab interfacing closer to "plug-and-play" interoperability. The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) plans to use a specification with this level of detail to certify lab interoperability for ambulatory EHRs. The speakers will discuss the features and benefits of the ELINCS-HL7 specification, its role within national data-standardisation and product-certification initiatives, and the work remaining to achieve full plug-and-play interoperability for ambulatory lab data.