This Standard provides requirements and guidance on the implementation of orders and observations for pathology and medical imaging (hereafter referred to as ‘diagnostics') using the HL7 Version 2.4 protocol, for communication between health service providers for messages relating to pathology and medical imaging, both within and between Australian healthcare settings.

HL7 Version 2.4 is a healthcare application protocol accredited as a Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The Standard includes the data segments and data elements that are mandatory (required), optional or conditional (required, based on a condition), and relevant usage notes in the Australian health environment, as well as use cases. The content covers the description and usage of placer and filler order management; that is, where a new, a change or a cancellation is made by an order placer or filler.

The Standard provides consistent use of data definitions as well as commentary and references to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the National Health Data Dictionary (NHDD), the National Association of Testing Authorities Australia (NATA), The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA), The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) and the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) initiative.