Objective The primary objective is to improve the communication of Laboratory Information between hospitals, doctors and laboratories. A project has been initiated to provide a European standard for clinical laboratory data exchange between independent and heterogeneous medical information systems, which is unbiased towards any manufacturer's hardware or software. This could be extended to other fields of medicine. 4 areas of application have been defined:patient related data;control-sera related data (ie transmission of data for external quality assessment programmes);test related data;laboratory related supervision data. 2 distinct classes of messages were used: system messages (eg for the transfer of metadata);data messages containing laboratory related information. The message structure is defined and identified unambiguously by the syntax which uses an object oriented approach. The syntax has been designed so that each data element is tagged directly, and each object represents a single real world concept with no overlapping. This results in early upgrading when new elements have to be added, early maintainability and no reprogramming efforts. The project adapted the CCITT x.400 series of recommendations designed to guide the system implementor towards achieving a complete, secure and open massaging system. The key elements addressed for the transfer mechanism were:user friendliness;multitude of platforms, to ensure a maximum freedom of choice for the user;assurance of adequate confidentiality and integrity measures;possibility of using many forms of communication media;easy implementation;easy and cost effective upgradability and maintainability. The standard has been designed to cover the following branches of clinical pathology:clinical chemistry, toxicology;haematology, immunology, haemostasis;microbiology (bacteriology, serology). A bridge package was designed to facilitate communication from and to any local information system. A number of subsystems were also developed for error handling and syntax and system maintenance.The objective in itself is a leading initiative ; what is more remarkable is the three prong approach to this issue. We have identified three essential levels : - semantics ; - syntax ; - layered reference model. Furthermore we have identified the key areas which interlink the three. In the following chapters we propose : - to standardize Laboratory Specific Information exchanges, - to simplify and accelerate the collection, retrieval and maintenance of the LSI ; - to ensure complete independence for LSI exchanges ; - to propose cost effective ways for LSI exchanges ; - to propose methods that ensure compliance with medical data protection, confidentiality, consistency and integrity ; - to promote our achievements to European and International acceptance ; - to prove concretely the results of our project in pilot implementations ; - to employ fully the offers of participation of reputable medical establishments placed in nearly all Member States for the setting up of a first real European integrated medical environment. The use of prototyping techniques, data model analysis and development techniques, the use of CCITT defined recommendations and the proposed link with other CEC projects and facilities are also of considerable importance and are foreseen in our project. The combinations of all the elements above will ensure the establishment of a real International standard and more importantly one which will consider the users' needs first. Only this way we can achieve real European adhesion as AIM has specifically set out to establish. Main Deliverables : Specification of standard laboratory related information exchange, and of specification of standard. Nomenclature and/or classification for laboratory specific information (LSI), handling standards. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwarenatural sciencescomputer and information sciencescomputer securitydata protectionnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologysocial sciencesmedia and communicationsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencedata exchange Programme(s) FP2-AIM 1 - Community action (EEC) in the field of information technology & telecommunications applied to health care (AIM) - Exploratory action, 1988-1989 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator STATE UNIVERSITY OF GHENT EU contribution No data Address Belgium See on map Total cost No data Participants (12) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ACADEMISCH ZIEKENHUIS VUB Belgium EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data ADVANCED MEDICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Belgium EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data CENTRAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL OF TOULOUSE France EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data DATASOFT C.V. Belgium EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data HEALTH DATA MANAGEMENT PARTNERS S.A. Belgium EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data IRISH MEDICAL SYSTEMS Ireland EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data MICS S.C. Belgium EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data NORWEGIAN TELECOM ADMINISTRATION Norway EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data Ospedale Niguarda Ca Granda Italy EU contribution No data Address 20100 Milano See on map Total cost No data Selly Oak Hospital United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Selly Oak B29 6JD Birmingham See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS Greece EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL INFO-TW Belgium EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data
