Overview

This page describes how to configure OpenVPMS to interface with an HL7 laboratory such as IDEXX LabLink. For an overview of HL7 in OpenVPMS, see Concepts - HL7.

Configuration

To configure OpenVPMS to interface with an HL7 laboratory the following steps must be performed:

1. Configure an HL7 MLLP Sender, to send HL7 messages to the laboratory

2. Configure an HL7 MLLP Receiver, to receive HL7 messages from the laboratory

3. Configure an HL7 Laboratory with the Receiver and Sender

4. Configure an HL7 Laboratory Group (optional)

5. Configure investigations to be ordered via the Laboratory/Laboratory Group

1. Configuring an HL7 MLLP Sender

The HL7 MLLP Sender is used to send orders, and patient admission and discharge messages to the laboratory. It is configured via the Aministration - HL7 - Connectors page.

Select New - HL7 MLLP Sender and enter the laboratory connection information as per your laboratory provider's instructions.

2. Configuring an HL7 MLLP Receiver

The HL7 MLLP Receiver is used to receive order cancellation messages from the laboratory. It is configured via the Aministration - HL7 - Connectors page.

Select New - HL7 MLLP Receiver and enter the laboratory information as per your laboratory provider's instructions.

Note that Port is a TCP/IP port that OpenVPMS listens on. It must be accessible to the laboratory through any firewall. Appropriate security precautions should be taken to avoid other parties from accessing the port.

3. Configuring an HL7 Laboratory

The HL7 Laboratory is used to specify a pharmacy to send pharmacy orders to, and receive dispense messages from. It is configured via the Administration - HL7 - Services page.

Select New - HL7 Laboratory and enter the:

• HL7 MLLP Sender configured in step 1 for the Order Connector
• HL7 MLLP Receiver configured in step 2 for the Cancel Connector

4. Configuring an HL7 Laboratory Group

An HL7 Laboratory Group is used to group laboratories by Practice Location.

It is only required for multi-location practices that use different laboratories for each practice location.

It is configured via the Administration - HL7 - Services page.

Select New - HL7 Laboratory Group and enter the HL7 Laboratory or Laboratories configured in step 3.

5. Configuring Investigations

To configure investigations to be ordered by a Laboratory/Laboratory Group, edit the Investigation Types and set the appropriate Universal Service Identifier and Laboratory.

Testing the Connection

The simplest way to test the connection between OpenVPMS and the laboratory provider is to admit a patient. This will send an HL7 ADT A01 message via the Order Connector to the laboratory.

Its progress can be viewed on the OpenVPMS side by going to Administration - HL7 - Connectors, selecting the appropriate HL7 MLLP Sender, and clicking Messages.

To test the connection from the laboratory to OpenVPMS, charge an investigation, and then cancel the corresponding order at the laboratory. A corresponding:

• HL7 ORM O01 should appear in the Messages window for the HL7 MLLP Receiver
• Laboratory Return should appear in Customer - Orders