scope:

General Approach-This specification covers the two-way digital transmission of requests for, and results of, tests, diagnostic studies, and care-provider observations between requestors (for example, hospital information systems, clinical workstations, office practice computers) and producers (for example, clinical laboratory systems, radiology systems, EKG machines, nursing care systems). It specifies the logical format and encoding rules for messages needed to interchange any clinical information that can be reported in a textual form. It enables any two systems to establish a link for communicating text to send result or request information in a standard and interpretable form. It deals not only with general information about diagnostic testing, but specific details useful for clinical practice, administration, and research in a comprehensive, but flexible, convention.