Why you should use HL7 pathology format
Electronic investigations are convenient with majority of our computerised GPs now receiving pathology results electronically.  With exception of area health service hospitals electronic pathology is available from vast majority of providers.

Electronic pathology is available in two formats. The original and default format is called Pathology Information Transfer (PIT) and it is a text file, which after processing goes into your results. This format now has been superseded by a much more user friendly format called Health Level 7 (HL7).

HL7 format auto-populates other sections of your clinical software, for example diabetes record, diabetes register and INR calculator. HL7 pathology results for HbA1c, cholesterol, microalbumin or triglyceride values come across automatically into relevant fields of diabetes record. Same applies for the INR results that go into International Normalised Ratio Record.  If you use the PIT format you need to re key this data into your diabetes record or your INR record, which in my experience rarely happens.

Additional benefit of HL7 pathology is the cumulative result graphing, which can be used for fast trend analysis and also as a patient education tool.

Unfortunately your pathology provider will send you the pathology in PIT format unless you request otherwise.  To receive pathology in HL7 format you must contact your provider and request this change. It is usually only a matter of minutes to enable your pathology to come in HL7 format and there is hardly any difference in the appearance of the results.

HL7 pathology format is especially useful to those GPs who wish to concentrate on management of patients with diabetes. I have worked closely with surgeries which receive HL7 pathology for purpose of Australian Primary Care Collaboratives and HL7 pathology makes all the difference for better management of patients with diabetes. For more information on the very easy process of converting to HL7 pathology please contact me on 9799 0933.