Distribution of laboratory test results to primary health care centres with the EDIFACT standard.

Electronic distribution of laboratory test results to primary health care centres, via the EDIFACT standard, is presented. Results in the MEDRPT message format are transmitted with the message handling system X.400. A communication server with EDI software and X.400 message handling software is connected to a laboratory information system and via modem to primary health care centres. Results are, directly after approval automatically transferred to the physician's medical record system. This new service from the laboratory helps to get fast and reliable reports to the physician at a lower cost.