Version: 1.0.3 | Published: 1 Dec 2025 | Updated: 44 days ago
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Reporting Information Standard
Dataset
Summary
Reference Code:
DAPB4101 Amd 63/2023
Publication Version:
1.0.0
Type:
Information standards
Effective From:
15 April 2024
Applies To:
- Suppliers of Pathology Laboratory Information Management systems
- Suppliers of Pathology middleware and Order comms
- Suppliers of GP systems
- Suppliers of secondary care Electronic Patient Records
- Suppliers of Trust Integration engines
Impacts On:
Implementation of this information standard impacts all health IT systems
suppliers providing systems to the above providers; suppliers should work with
their customers to determine necessary changes.
Conformance Date:
30 April 2025
Topics:
- Interoperability
- Tests and diagnostics
Care Settings:
- GP / Primary care
- Hospital
Publication Date:
15 April 2024
Contact Point
Contact Point:
Documentation
Associated Media:
Description:
For twenty years, Pathology Messaging (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 Pathology Bounded Code List (PBCL) codes.
- it is 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).
This has led to the need to introduce this new standard.
Relations:
Name:EDIFACT Pathology Messaging Standard
Explanation:ISB 1557
Name:Clinical Risk Management: its Application in the Manufacture of Health IT
Systems
Explanation:DCB0129
Name:Clinical Risk Management: its Application in the Deployment and Use of Health IT
Systems
Explanation:DCB0160
Name:Health Level 7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources
Explanation:The interoperability standard identified to facilitate the exchange of all
healthcare information across the NHS.
Name:Pathology Messaging – FHIR
Explanation:An integration for exchanging pathology test results from laboratories to GP
practices.
Name:Pathology Messaging – EDIFACT
Explanation:The legacy integration for exchanging pathology test results from laboratories
to GP practices.
Name:Organisation Data Service API
Explanation:For obtaining ODS codes and organisation information.
Review & Status
Sponsor:
John Quinn, Chief Information Officer, NHS England
Approval Date:
05 April 2024
Business Lead:
Gogs Byrn, Senior Implementation Specialist, NHS England
Post Implementation Review Date:
30 April 2026
Scope:
Health Services, NHS Services
SRO:
Ian Townend, Chief Architect, NHS England
Technical Committee:
Data Alliance Partnership Board (DAPB)
Mandated:
Yes
Status:
active
Legal Authority 1
Legal Authority:
Section 250 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012
Legal Authority Description:
This standard is published under section 250 of the Health and Social Care Act
2012.
Origin
Name:
NHSE-SD Data Catalogue