I would like to urge that the UK clinical laboratorians dvelop a
collaborative effort with those in the US with respect to the common units
and their representations (whether in messages or in data structures
such as the EHR). The IFCC/IUPAC SI represerntations are those recommended
both by national and international groups. The educational challenge for
the health professional (useers and producers of measurments/observations)
has been a majo one over the 16 years that work of the US with the EU
CEN TC 251 groups has been pursued. Much more could and should be done
collbaoraively and synergistically. AACC LISMID Chair Al Jekelis is a key
contact and he is working with LISMID memeber pam Banning on a
terminology program for the AACC 2008 Annual meeting in July in Washington
DC. There is still time to develop a joint effort with ACB to address this
specific challenge and have useful information by the time of that
presentation. I invite those interested to contact these individuals on
this subject.
Sincerely,
Arden W. Forrey PhD
Dept of Restorative Dentistry
University of Washington School of Dentistry
On Wed, 10 Oct 2007, Jonathan Kay wrote:
> On 10 Oct 2007, at 10:40, Gethin Roberts wrote:
>> In Wales we are currently working towards procurement of an "integrated"
>> LIMS. OJEU ? Feb 2008.
>> I'm heading a project to standardize biochemistry test names, codes,
>> units and (where possible!) reference intervals.
>
> I think the key question is whether that is going to give transferable
> results...
>
> Best wishes
>
> Jonathan
>
>
>
> On 10 Oct 2007, at 10:40, Gethin Roberts wrote:
>
>> In Wales we are currently working towards procurement of an "integrated"
>> LIMS. OJEU ? Feb 2008.
>> I'm heading a project to standardize biochemistry test names, codes,
>> units and (where possible!) reference intervals. I've also represented
>> Wales on Jonathan Berg's W Midlands Biochemistry Harmonisation group.
>> Looking at the spreadsheet I can see how this can easily develop into a
>> pig's breakfast!
>> We hope to proceed in Wales by setting up a code list for tests with
>> agreed names and (SI) units. Any translation necessary for the IHR
>> and/or clinical portal in Wales would occur further down the line.
>> Although we hope to agree some consensus reference ranges the reality is
>> that most results transmitted will (hopefully) have a standard code and
>> unit but different ref ranges depending on lab.
>> I would be grateful for any advice on how likely this approach is to
>> succeed and any other comment on the most effective way forward.
>>
>> Gethin Roberts
>> Consultant Clinical Biochemist
>> Bronglais Hospital
>> Aberystwyth
>> 01970 635784
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: IT working group of the Association of Clinical Biochemists
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jonathan Kay
>> Sent: 10 October 2007 08:32
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Conversion units - PMIP[MESSAGE NOT SCANNED]
>>
>> I don't think its safe for receiving systems to change any components
>> of reports unless it is known that results between the different
>> methods are transferable.
>>
>> Some minor conversions of units are probably OK (eg mmol to micromol)
>> and should be based on systems sending well formed ISO units (IFCC/
>> IUPAC to us), and be limited to those cases.
>>
>> If this approach isn't taken it is likely that eg enzyme results from
>> different laboratories will be merged when the results are not
>> transferable. (Because system implementers will look at the units and
>> see they are the same... )
>>
>> NB: This is a criticism of UK laboratories, not information system or
>> projects.
>>
>> Jonathan
>>
>> On 9 Oct 2007, at 21:23, Richard Jones [Pathology] wrote:
>>
>>> TPP (and I assume other GP suppliers) are now receiving data from
>>> multiple labs with a mixed range of units. Though they store the
>>> original unit when they display tables or graphs they have a need
>>> to convert to a common base unit.
>>>
>>> They have set up the following conversions. I would be grateful if
>>> anyone with a little time could check these for me and comment on
>>> whether you think they are valid. see spreadsheet.
>>>
>>> Incidentally they have also noticed a number of labs sending
>>> messages with 'inappropriate' units and other message content. I
>>> have contacted CfH (at a very high level) to try to get their help
>>> desk to resolve it without any reply - clearly the potential safety
>>> issue is not recognised / understood.
>>>
>>> How do you think we should proceed?
>>>
>>> I have attached an anonymised list (at least only with lab ID
>>> codes). Should I share the uncoded version?
>>>
>>> My feeling is that CfH should be picking this up and following
>>> through to the labs.
>>>
>>> Comments welcome.
>>>
>>> Rick
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Dr Rick Jones
>>> Assoc Clin Director, Yorks and Humber SHA NPfIT
>>> Sen Lect, Yorkshire Centre Health Informatics, Univ of Leeds
>>> [log in to unmask]
>>> http://www.ychi.leeds.ac.uk <http://www.ychi.leeds.ac.uk/>
>>> http://elipse.redirectme.net <http://elipse.redirectme.net/>
>>> http://www.pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk <http://
>>> www.pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/>
>>> 0113 343 4961
>>>
>>> <Anonymous Copy of Invalid Units.xls>
>>> <Copy of Invalid Units.xls>
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