Laboratory information standards

The New Zealand Pathology Observation Code Sets (NZPOCS) standard comprises code sets for ordering and reporting laboratory tests and results.

The code sets are based on international standards Laboratory Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) and SNOMED CT, and cover all commonly performed pathology tests in biochemistry, haematology, immunology, microbiology, virology/serology and toxicology. NZPOCS will be extended to new test types such as molecular tests and multidrug-resistant organism screening tests.  

NZPOCS releases: 

• See publications page for all releases 
• See the LOINC website for more information on the COVID-19 test codes.

Microorganism code set

NZPOCS has a microorganism code set that includes all concepts in the SNOMED microorganism hierarchy. The code set is published in the SNOMED NZ Edition.

The choice to include this code set was agreed in 2018 between HISO, the National Pathology and Laboratory Round Table and the New Zealand Microbiology Network. Laboratory information managers and their industry partners were consulted on the changes at the time.

The code set considerably extends the Royal College of Pathology of Australasia (RCPA) microorganism code set of about 3000 concepts, to provide better cover and avoid difficulties in using and maintaining a restricted set. We will work with our RCPA partners when requesting additions to the microorganism content in SNOMED.

HISO's expectation is that SNOMED will be implemented in all systems exchanging laboratory information, for end-to-end interoperability that doesn’t depend on mapping. This applies to laboratory information systems and repositories, infection control systems and clinical information systems.

SNOMED NZ Edition

The SNOMED NZ Edition can be downloaded in standard release file format from the SNOMED Member Licensing and Distribution Service. Laboratory information systems need to be loaded with each new release to stay up-to-date with the microorganism code set.

Other developing content in the SNOMED NZ Edition includes the RCPA laboratory order code set.

The SNOMED browser and the SNOMED reference set tool are available to end users and developers for viewing and downloading content such as the microorganism code set.

LOINC terms of use

This material contains content from LOINC (http://loinc.org). LOINC is copyright © Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee and is available at no cost under the license at http://loinc.org/license. LOINC® is a registered United States trademark of Regenstrief Institute, Inc.

This is an implementation guide that provides details for using electronic messaging to submit COVID-19 laboratory results into the COVID-19 result repository. 

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This guide provides assistance in the development of applications using structured messaging to specifically report notifications into the Electronic Notifiable Disease Messaging System (ENDMS).

• HISO 10008.3:2024 Notifiable Disease Messaging Implementation Guide (DOCX 636KB)
• HISO 10008.3:2024 Notifiable Disease Messaging Implementation Guide (PDF 1023KB)

This document presents guidelines for sending HL7 version 2.4 messages and covers:

• specific use of message segments where there are alternative uses, and the enforcement of optional fields that are required for the ENDMS
• provision of technical information required for a health provider (or their system vendor) to make all the necessary system changes to support the ENDMS.

Note: This standard was updated in August 2024 to include Invasive group A streptococcal infection which will become a notifiable infectious disease under the Health Act 1956 from 1 October 2024.

This implementation guide forms part of the standard HISO 10008, which details the structure of electronic messages for Pathology and Radiology orders and results. The guide provides assistance and guidance for implementers.

The guide should be read in conjunction with HISO 10008.2:2024 Pathology and Radiology Messaging Standard.

This standard provides data definitions and includes the data segments and data elements that are mandatory (required), optional or conditional (required, based on a condition), together with a commentary and relevant notes for usage in the New Zealand health environment.

• HISO 10008.1:2015 Pathology and Radiology Implementation Guide (docx, 239 KB)

This standard details the structure of electronic messages for Pathology and Radiology orders and results. It is based on HL7 version 2.4.

This standard provides consistent data definitions and includes the data segments and data elements that are mandatory (required), optional or conditional (required, based on a condition), together with a commentary and relevant notes for usage in the New Zealand health environment.

This standard should be read in conjunction with HISO 10008.1:2015 Pathology and Radiology Implementation Guide, which provides assistance and guidance for implementers.

The 2024 update of the standard incorporates a number of changes to support the consistent use of HL7 version 2.4 messaging by laboratory information systems

•  HISO 10008.2:2024 Pathology and Radiology Messaging Standard