HL7 Investigations Results and Clinical

Generally, Investigations Results are received by Clinical after an associated request has been issued by the practitioner on behalf of a patient. However, at the time the original request is made, the requesting practitioner can select another recipient from the Clinical Address Book to receive a copy of the result(s).

The following processes are involved in the managing of Investigations Results. This document discusses only the first two processes.

1. Downloading and decrypting of the Results batch files from the Investigations Provider's computer to the customer's computer. This is the responsibility of the provider. Results batch files may contain up to 200 results for multiple patients, although it is common for each result file to contain a single result.
2. Importing the individual result data from the results batch files into Clinical's Holding File. Each test result is imported as a separate entry in the Holding File. Configuration of Clinical to allow for successful importing of Investigations Results is the responsibility of the receiving practitioner.
3. Checking the results and transferring them to the associated patient record. This is the responsibility of the receiving practitioner.
4. Notifying the patient of the outcome and completing the audit trail. This is the responsibility of the receiving practitioner and/or staff at the surgery.