What is ASTM E1381? #
ASTM E1381 is a standard specification for a low-level communication protocol that facilitates the transmission of laboratory data between clinical laboratory instruments and computer systems, such as Laboratory Information Systems (LIS). ASTM International published this protocol designed to promote interoperability and data exchange in clinical laboratories.
Key Uses in Clinical Laboratories #
While ASTM E1381 is less commonly used today, it played a significant role in the early days of laboratory data management. Its key uses include:
- Integration of analyzers: ASTM E1381 enables analyzers to communicate with LIS systems, allowing for the transfer of patient data and results. This functionality is particularly relevant for older or legacy equipment.
- Data transmission: The protocol ensures the transmission of laboratory data in a standardized format, helping to maintain data integrity across systems.
It is important to note that newer protocols like HL7 or FHIR offer more advanced capabilities and flexibility for device integration.
For knowing more:
- Check our guide of healthcare interoperability standards.
- Learn about HL7 primary standards.
- Official page of the standard.
Main Features of ASTM E1381 #
ASTM E1381 specifies a set of messages and procedures for exchanging laboratory data between devices. Some of its key features include:
- Modularity: The protocol is designed to be modular, enabling it to integrate a variety of devices.
- Interoperability: ASTM E1381 promotes interoperability, allowing devices from different manufacturers to communicate, albeit with some limitations in modern environments.
- Standardized data format: It provides a standardized structure for data transmission, ensuring consistent communication across connected systems.
- Basic error handling: The protocol includes mechanisms for handling errors that may arise during data transmission. Although these features are relatively rudimentary compared to more recent standards.
Security Considerations #
ASTM E1381 was developed before modern security standards were common in healthcare communications. While the protocol can be used in secure environments, it lacks native encryption and authentication features. For enhanced security, additional measures like network-layer encryption may be necessary.
Interoperability and Device Integration #
ASTM E1381 was designed to allow devices from different manufacturers to communicate. This made it easier for laboratories to integrate various instruments and systems. This was particularly useful when labs needed to combine equipment from different vendors, ensuring that they could still share data effectively.
Example: Integrating an Analyzer with a LIS #
In a typical scenario, an analyzer processes a patient sample and sends the results to a Laboratory Information System (LIS) using ASTM E1381. The LIS, in turn, stores these results in the patient’s record, making the data available to healthcare providers.
Integrating ASTM devices using Mirth Connect #
Mirth Connect cannot directly send or receive ASTM E1381 messages because it does not support low-level protocols like ASTM. So it needs to rely on an external implementation to handle this kind of communication. This could be a custom Java library or other software that receives and processes ASTM messages.
Once received, the data payload can be manipulated using Mirth and integrated with other systems like LIS or transformed to other formats such as HL7, XML, or JSON. Likewise, Mirth can send messages to the ASTM device using this external implementation. This setup allows you to integrate ASTM devices with Mirth, despite the limitations of Mirth for using the low-level communication protocol.
Some companies as NextGen Healthcare (the company behind Mirth Connect) or ourselves at Meditecs offer ASTM extensions for natively integrating ASTM devices using Mirth Connect.
To learn more:
Meditecs ASTM Extension for Mirth Connect #
Our ASTM extension for Mirth Connect simplifies the process of integrating lab devices that use ASTM E1381. The extension provides pre-built connectors for sending and receiving ASTM messages, making it easier to configure Mirth Connect for laboratory devices. This allows to integrate older lab instruments with minimal setup time.
Additional resources #
- Discover our healthcare technology integration services.
- Know more about our ASTM extension for Mirth Connect.
