LOINC Mapping AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES. CLINICAL DATA NORMALIZATION through LOINC Mapping TURN OVER TO LEARN MORE. Test Dictionary Process

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1 LOINC Mapping AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES CLINICAL DATA NORMALIZATION through LOINC Mapping Halfpenny Technologies offers LOINC code mapping as one of our clinical data services (CDS). With basic test directory information provided by our clients, our experienced medical technologists and advanced technology can accurately map legacy test codes to any standard LOINC code. Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC ) is a data set that universally identifies clinical laboratory tests. The LOINC database was created by the non-profit Regenstrief Institute, at Indiana University in 1994, when clinical laboratories were in the early stages of transmitting test results to hospitals, physician offices and payers. While the Current Procedural Terminology, 4th Edition (CPT4) of a clinical test is adequate for billing purposes, it does not describe the test at the level of granularity required to compare test data in a shared database where results are received from multiple sources. A LOINC code, however, specifically differentiates a test result by multiple possible attributes. The LOINC database includes a compilation of all of the different characteristics of a clinical laboratory test. It differentiates each test by component, property being measured (concentration, enzyme activity, etc.), timing, specimen type, reporting units, type of measurement (qualitative, quantitative, nominal, narrative, etc.), methodology and other data. Mapped LOINC codes greatly facilitate the comparison of data from multiple sources because it not only assures an apple-to-apple comparison, but further discriminates a golden delicious from a red delicious. While there are 2,667 CPT4 codes for laboratory and pathology, there are almost 40,000 laboratory LOINC codes. These numbers alone indicate the degree of specificity in the LOINC database. Halfpenny offers the expertise and technology to evaluate a test dictionary and associate a LOINC code with each and every test. Test Dictionary Process The process for mapping a test dictionary is tedious work and requires thorough knowledge of the LOINC database. Our experienced personnel will review the client test dictionary. We will map as many tests as possible to a LOINC code. Other tests will require additional information from the laboratory technical staff. Subsequent follow-up calls with clients may be necessary in order to obtain the information needed to enable the selection of the correct LOINC code for those difficult to code tests. An individual test dictionary may take from a few days to a few weeks to complete a LOINC project. The complexity of the testing being performed in the laboratory is a leading factor for LOINC coding. Laboratories that perform highly complex testing will require a greater degree of interaction with the client laboratory to determine the proper LOINC codes. The preparation and input by the client laboratory s technical staff is key to an effective LOINC mapping project. Occasionally, some testing performed by the client laboratory does not match to existing LOINC codes. Halfpenny provides the documentation to the client for the request of a new LOINC code. Halfpenny s test dictionary requirements include: order and result test codes, order and result test names and aliases, if available, profiles/panels with associated components, units of measure for results, specimen type and collection container. Additional helpful data elements include the CPT4 and methodology. The data file can be provided to us in an electronic format, such as Microsoft Excel or a text file. Once a test dictionary is mapped, we can maintain the ongoing updates and map new test procedures as needed. The benefits of LOINC code mapping, which Halfpenny can provide, include reduced errors, improved communication in integrated healthcare delivery networks, improved electronic health records (EHRs), automatic transfer to public health authorities of case reports for reportable diseases, and improved transfer of payment information. Call us toll-free Call us at toll-free at or visit or visit our Web site for at more information. for more information. TURN OVER TO LEARN MORE

2 LOINC Mapping: Linking legacy test codes accurately to the LOINC standard for improved EHRs, payment transfers and network communication while reducing errors. An Example of LOINC Mapping: LOINC database High Degree of Specificity: <1,500 CPT4 codes for laboratory and pathology vs. >44,000 laboratory LOINC codes Physician Office A Physician Office B Lab A Lab B Lab C Test Name U 24 Hr 24 Hour, 24Ur Lab Code CLU URCHL CLCU CL LOINC Code LOINC Component System Timing Long Name Pt [Moles/volume] in H [Moles/time] in 24 hour H [Moles/vol] in 24 hour Pt [Moles/volume] in XXX [Molar amt] in unspecified time XXX [Molar vol] in unspecified time H [Moles/time] in 24 hour One CPT4 code About Halfpenny Technologies Halfpenny is a leading provider of clinical data exchange solutions, enabling hospitals and labs to integrate with disparate physician EHR systems. Halfpenny s SaaS-based ITF-Hub provides a reliable, secure platform to exchange clinical, financial and administrative data while reducing complexity and costs. ITF-Portal is a Web-based order entry and results reporting system to rapidly search and retrieve various clinical reports. ITF-GoDoc is a mobile application to access laboratory, pathology, radiology and other clinical results reports securely. ITF-GoDoc MobileOE is a mobile CPOE system for secure billing information, ask-at-order entry questions, specimen types and medical necessity compliance. Learn more about LOINC Mapping on our Web site. Get the free mobile app for your phone at Interested in learning about how your clinical lab can benefit from our LOINC Mapping and Maintenance Services? Call us toll-free at or visit our Web site at for more information.

3 SecureConnect REDUCES TIME AND EFFORT Involved in Establishing Connectivity For optimal connectivity between the LIS and a physician EHR system, data exchange must be both efficient and secure. Although a protected connection can be achieved through the establishment of a virtual private network (VPN), implementing a VPN can be time-consuming and is not always cost effective for labs without a dedicated IT department. Additionally, many physicians practices lack the IT staff to install and support a VPN connection. An alternative approach is to implement a solution that provides VPN-level security without the need to establish a direct connection to a practice s network, enabling timely installation and eliminating the potential for security breaches. Halfpenny s ITF-SecureConnect was designed to reduce the time and effort involved in establishing the connectivity needed to support interfaces between hospitals, labs and physician EHR systems. With ITF-SecureConnect, the process of establishing connectivity with a physician office EHR system is simplyfied. A connection is established in hours, not weeks, and is as secure as a VPN connection. In fact, it provides the same degree of file encryption as a hardware VPN and requires no networking expertise to install. Also, because it performs a single dedicated function, ITF-SecureConnect eliminates the security risks of exposing an entire network just to accomplish simple file transfer. Benefits of utilizing ITF-SecureConnect: Use of standard HTTP/HTTPS and SOAP-based Web Services Elimination of firewall issues Utilization of 3DES encryption between the agents and ITF-SecureConnect server File integrity verification with MD5 checksums Support for alternative encryption standards HIPAA compliant communication Acknowledgements supported using either HL7 LLP or HL7 MLLP Message queuing to ensure delivery despite intermittent Internet outages Advanced logging of transactions for audit purposes Facilitation of audit review and remote configuration Ability to load agents to existing or dedicated Windows servers or workstations Architecture ITF-SecureConnect is comprised of client side software agents and a server infrastructure. Its client agents are installed at each location that a client wishes to connect to, and these agents establish secure communications with each other via the ITF-SecureConnect Server using standard HTTP Internet communications. The ITF-SecureConnect agent supports HL7 connectivity to the client s LIS or other systems via TCP sockets, FTP or a shared directory. Server-Side Management All management and monitoring is performed using an intuitive web-based dashboard. Secure Web Services Industry-endorsed security is used for the exchange of clinical data. and Web services technology eliminates the need for a VPN or firewall configuration. Call us toll-free Call us at toll-free at or visit or visit our Web site for at more information. for more information. TURN OVER TO LEARN MORE

4 ITF-SecureConnect: Designed to reduce the time and effort involved in establishing the connectivity needed to support interfaces between hospitals, labs and EHR systems. Solicited communications are outbound only Requested data is delivered and acknowledged RESPONSE, SE, DELIVERY AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT REQUEST CONFIGURABLE FREQUENCY SECURE CONNECT ENTERPRISE RESPONSE, DELIVERY AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT REQUEST CONFIGURABLE FREQUENCY RESULT OR HL7 FILES RESPONSE, DELIVERY AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT CLIENT EHR SYSTEMS ITF-SECURECONNECT AGENT About Halfpenny Technologies Halfpenny is a leading provider of clinical data exchange solutions, enabling hospitals and labs to integrate with disparate physician EHR systems. Halfpenny s SaaS-based ITF-Hub provides a reliable, secure platform to exchange clinical, financial and administrative data while reducing complexity and costs. ITF-Portal is a Web-based order entry and results reporting system to rapidly search and retrieve various clinical reports. ITF-GoDoc is a mobile application to access laboratory, pathology, radiology and other clinical results reports securely. ITF-GoDoc MobileOE is a mobile CPOE system for secure billing information, ask-at-order entry questions, specimen types and medical necessity compliance. Learn more about ITF-SecureConnect on our Web site. Get the free mobile app for your phone at Interested in learning more about how you can easily connect to physician office EHR systems with ITF-SecureConnect? Call us toll-free at or visit our Web site at for more information.

5 Test Dictionary MANAGEMENT SERVICES ENSURING TEST DICTIONARIES are Built to the Highest Quality Standards Halfpenny Technologies, Inc. has become the premier service provider of Test Dictionary Management Services in support of reference testing and electronic health record (EHR) interfacing. We combine the depth of our experience and a precise methodology with robust technology tools to ensure that test dictionaries are built to the highest quality standards possible. Whether Halfpenny is creating new tests, modifying existing ones or performing interface test validation, we make certain our clients needs are addressed efficiently and professionally. Test Dictionary Build and Maintenance Halfpenny Technologies offers two options for more timely completion of the dictionary build. The first option is to automate the build which reduces the time and effort for laboratory staff and decreases the timeline of the interface project and production roll-out. The second option is for our experienced personnel to build the tests manually, thereby relieving the client of this task. Both options include billing, worksheet, chart and translation setups. Dictionary Auto Build Halfpenny has developed a suite of software tools, called the Test Dictionary Manager (TDM), that allow the automation of a test build into a client Laboratory Information System (LIS). The TDM emulates the actions a user normally takes to build tests in the LIS. It moves through the various screens used by LIS personnel to add tests to their system. With minimal guidance, the automated tool follows a process based upon the standard operating procedures of the client and will remotely access the LIS and perform step-by-step data entry EXACTLY as the client s LIS personnel would do. After the build is validated by all parties, the tests are then automatically built into the production environment. Dictionary Manual Build Adding a large number of tests in the LIS is repetitive work and time consuming when performed manually. Usually personnel who would do this task at the client site are already committed to other tasks and cannot devote a full-time effort. This results in lengthy delays. Halfpenny s experienced personnel manually enter tests into the LIS. Manual builds are carried out in the test environment and if the LIS vendor cannot copy the build into the production environment we manually perform a second identical build in the production environment. Dictionary Maintenance Halfpenny also provides ongoing test dictionary maintenance services for in-house and/or reference tests. Upon notification by the testing laboratory that a test has changed we update the test in the test environment, perform or participate in the quality assurance (QA) testing, and then make the update in the production environment. Test Dictionary Mapping Our medical technologists routinely map or link test codes and test names from one system to the corresponding test codes and test names in a second or even a third system, thereby creating a master test dictionary database. This allows orders/results interfacing, data sharing and also facilitates EHR and portal orders and results functionality. Creating an individual test dictionary mapping may take from a few days to a few weeks to complete. The complexity of the testing being performed in the laboratory is a leading factor for mapping. Laboratories that perform highly complex testing will require a greater degree of interaction with the client laboratory. The preparation and input by the client laboratory s technical staff is also key to an effective mapping project. Once a test dictionary is mapped, Halfpenny can maintain the ongoing updates and map new test procedures as needed. Call us toll-free Call us at toll-free at or visit or visit our Web site for at more information. for more information. TURN OVER TO LEARN MORE

6 Test Dictionary Mgmt Service: Ensuring that test dictionaries are built to the highest quality standards possible with robust technology tools implemented by Halfpenny. Clinical Interface QA Services Quality Assurance (QA) testing, following a well-designed test plan, is necessary for the successful implementation of an order/results Interface. Our medical technologists, each with a strong clinical background, are experienced in functionality and bulk testing of interfaces between LIS systems from dozens of vendors. We work with our clients to assure orders are generated and results are received, filed and reported as needed for the routine workflow in their facility and downstream systems. Additionally, we have enough medical technologist resources to allow us to bring multiple personnel onboard during the QA testing phase in order to meet timelines not achievable if performed by internal personnel. Partial Listing of Client EHR and LIS Systems: Consulting Services and Staff Augmentation Halfpenny s Clinical Data Services Department routinely performs other consulting services in support of electronic orders and result interfaces. These include: resolution and cleanup of errors when a system incorrectly files results, constructing test plans, assisting in bulk testing during implementation of a new LIS, HIS or EHR and providing backup for employee vacancies or absences. About Halfpenny Technologies Halfpenny is a leading provider of clinical data exchange solutions, enabling hospitals and labs to integrate with disparate physician EHR systems. Halfpenny s SaaS-based ITF-Hub provides a reliable, secure platform to exchange clinical, financial and administrative data while reducing complexity and costs. ITF-Portal is a Web-based order entry and results reporting system to rapidly search and retrieve various clinical reports. ITF-GoDoc is a mobile application to access laboratory, pathology, radiology and other clinical results reports securely. ITF-GoDoc MobileOE is a mobile CPOE system for secure billing information, ask-at-order entry questions, specimen types and medical necessity compliance. Learn more about Test Dictionary Management Services on our Web site. Get the free mobile app for your phone at Interested in learning more about how you can benefit from Halfpenny s Test Dictionary Management Services? Call us toll-free at or visit our Web site at for more information.