Pathology Messaging Implementation Project

PMIP (Pathology Messaging Implementation Project)

Initially, started life as PMEP (Pathology Messaging Enabling Project)in UK as an NHS project. Designed for transmission of structured pathology reports from laboratories to GP practises utilising standard EDIFACT messages. PMEP started with the Issues Resolution Mechanism to address problems in nomenclature, taxonomy and such like. Resolutions were published as a set of standards which laboratory and GP systems were to adhere to. GP systems used RFA99 (Requirements for Accreditation 1999) without which sales to GPs would be problematic.

It was intended to include blood sciences (chemistry, haematology, coagulation) and microbiology and everything to be completed by the end of 2003. Messages were to be encrypted end-to-end (organisation-to-organisation) using PKI, as the BMA were paranoid about security. NHS subsequently overlooked renewal of licence for this and had to hurriedly instigate an alternative strategy using DTS (Data Transfer Service) - messages are encrypted from lab to DTS server, and again from DTS to GP. This is not the final solution apparently.

Laboratory tests are coded using Read Codes, or at least an uncontroversial sub-set - the Bounded Code List (BCL) - which attempts to decouple sample type, test, and result. This is not the way GPs work and is the source of much conflict.