Version: 1.0.2 | Published: 1 Dec 2025 | Updated: 45 days ago
EDIFACT Pathology Messaging Standard
Dataset
Summary
Reference Code:
ISB 1557
Type:
Information standards
Applies To:
Healthcare IT systems
Topics:
- Interoperability
- Messaging
- Tests and diagnostics
Care Settings:
- GP / Primary care
- Hospital
Publication Date:
07 November 2023
Contact Point
Contact Point:
Documentation
Description:
Electronic Data Interchange For Administration, Commerce and Transport (EDIFACT) is an international EDI standard for the exchange of messages that was adopted by organisations wishing to trade globally.
EDIFACT is fundamentally limited because it is:
- unable to carry SNOMED CT encoded test result concepts – it can only support Read v2 Pathology Bounded Code List (PBCL) codes. Read v2 was retired in April 2016 and it is no longer possible to create new national Read codes.
- unable to support complex report structures containing fully atomic, coded results – data elements are mainly represented as text.
The continued use of Pathology Messaging Implementation Project (PMIP) EDIFACT is a significant barrier to new market entrants who struggle to implement a messaging technology that is over 30 years old, and not aligned with modern standards such as Health Level 7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (HL7 FHIR).
Formal retirement of EDIFACT will take place on 31 March 2024 with a target retirement date of 31 March 2025.
Documentation Link:
Relations:
Name:Bowel Cancer Screening - EDIFACT
Name:Cervical Screening - EDIFACT
Name:Pathology Messaging - EDIFACT
Name:Read Clinical Terms Version 2
Explanation:ISB 1553: (Now retired.)
Name:Read Clinical Terms Version 3
Explanation:ISB 1552: (Now retired.)
Name:Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Reporting Information Standard
Explanation:DAPB4101: Developed to replace the EDIFACT Pathology Messaging Standard.
Dependencies:
Name:Electronic Data Interchange For Administration, Commerce and Transport (EDIFACT)
Review & Status
Business Lead:
Gogs Byrn, Senior Terminology Implementation Specialist, NHS England
Technical Committee:
Information Standards Board for Health and Social Care (ISB)
Mandated:
No
Status:
retired
Origin
Name:
NHSE-SD Data Catalogue