In article <[log in to unmask]>, Ahmad Risk
<[log in to unmask]> writes

>I will try to argue below the case for 'not' using edifact and x.400.

Interesting argument, but you seem to feel that HTML is somehow
structured to allow the sharing of say path results.  It is not.  To
transfer data into another application, eg a GP recipient system, the
data must be structured so that the possible elements within the message
can be carried unambiguously.

If you look at a line of text:

John Smith 1.3.82 Hb 13.2 WCC 5.4

you could probably deduce that John Smith has a date of birth 1.3.82 and
has an Hb and Whitecell count as specified.  For a computer to reliably
understand it one needs to spell out which bit is surname, forename,
date of birth etc.

>3. My question is:  *why* do you need to send structured messages in
>the first place?  To date,  no one has come up with a convincing
>answer.

See above.  I can't see how publishing lab results on the NHSNet in HTML
format, without a structure, and it is reliably interpreting that
structure which is the hard part of EDI.

>a) Trust A 'publishes' the path results as they are onto the intranet,
>ie,  in which ever format the existing system produces them,  only in
>HTML format (no need here for edifact at all) :-)

1-2-82, Smith John, 7.12.96, Haemoglobin 13.2 g/dl, etc?  How will you
show an MSU, U&E results etc...

>
>b) GP B dials up (securely and all that) and logs on to his 'authorised'
>area of access and views or downloads his results.

OK, but all he can do is download and view them?  He/she can't populate
his clinical system

>I know that I may be shot down by the edifact/X.400 lobby.  My only
>hope is that the mind may be set free to consider the alternatives.
>

I am happy to consider alternatives, but I think these are not yet
complete, but keep them coming!

>I also know that you might say " ah,  but we need to integrate those
>results with our medical systems databases".  The problem here is
>the GP computer systems and the strategy not the solution offered.

I think you are wrong on what the problem is, as stated above.

>All I am asking for is that people begin to say we have made a
>mistake.  It is good to say that.  When the strategy was conceived,

There is a future for both HTML and EDI - horses for courses!

--
Jon Rogers


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