Standardization of information in laboratory diagnostics. Proposal of the Polish Society of Laboratory Diagnostics

Abstract

In modern laboratory diagnostics, the flow of information in electronic form is common, more and more extensive, and complicated. For the flow of this information to be efficient and complete, it should include medical diagnostic laboratories and their complete environment, including nationwide healthcare information systems. Optimizing the electronic flow of information requires standardization of terminology and coding of laboratory procedures and the creation of IT infrastructure, which, with institutional support, will ensure adequate access to laboratory diagnostic data in the healthcare system. In this article, we present a system proposal prepared by the Section for Standardization of Information in Laboratory Medicine of the PSLD in cooperation with experts from other bodies, the purpose of which would be to systematize, improve the quality and certainty of processing information on laboratory diagnostics. The proposed System of Standardization of Information in Laboratory Diagnostics (SSILD) should ultimately allow for the unambiguity of the names and codes of procedures using the LOINC® terminology, certainty as to the key features of the procedures, certainty as to the reference intervals/decision values, access to information necessary for the interpretation of the result and clarity as to whether the procedures are covered by the regulation of the guaranteed benefits basket.