Development Principles Development of the LRN Results Messenger began in October 2002 to provide a basic reporting tool for the LRN. When the BioWatch program was launched in February 2003, development was expedited to meet the program’s reporting needs. Although it was still a prototype, the application was rapidly extended to capture data unique to BioWatch and was deployed in April, Several critical updates have followed the initial release including automatic population of negative results and the ability to import an XML file containing sampling data. The application has successfully created over 120,000 standard results messages and is anticipating Version 2 release in August, May, 2005 Background Laboratory results are a critical component of public health practice and preparedness. During the anthrax events of 2001, for example, over 125,000 samples representing more than one million laboratory tests were reported. The management of data for this event was complex and unsupported by electronic exchange between organizations involved in the response. The pressures of public health preparedness require that public health labs be able to electronically share test results in real time. Because of the many organizations involved and the many groups that require results from these labs, industry standards for result reporting are a critical component of ensuring that all parties can access results when and where they need them. Purpose The Laboratory Results Network (LRN) Results Messenger provides LRN laboratories with the ability to share Health-Level Seven (HL7) industry standard laboratory results data securely with public health partners. The LRN Results Messenger represents the first step in an incremental approach to providing full standards-based electronic data exchange for the LRN. This will ensure adequate management of lab data during a public health event or other emergency that requires the exchange of information between a public health laboratory and partner organizations. LRN Results Messenger

Key Contact Information Name: Jennifer McGehee, LRN Program Manager National Center for Public Health Informatics Centers for Disease Control and Prevention PHIN PHIN Help Desk: Website: LRN Results Messenger and PHIN The LRN Results Messenger supports the Connecting Laboratory Systems component of PHIN Preparedness. Using the principles and practices of the broader PHIN initiative, PHIN Preparedness concentrates on ensuring that all public health jurisdictions have, or have access to, systems to accomplish essential public health preparedness functions. CDC is supporting public health partners who have systems in place or in development with similar functionality. May, 2005 Current Status LRN Results Messenger is being utilized by LRN labs actively supporting the BioWatch program. LRN Results Messenger v1.7.5 provides basic laboratory data management, including the ability to enter sample and results data. The application uses standard terminology code sets for Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) and Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED), and creates HL7 messages that are encrypted and securely transported to partners via the PHIN Messaging System. Future Plans Version 2 of the LRN Results Messenger is being developed as a complete redesign of the original application and is scheduled for August The system will include the following improvements: More intuitive navigation Data entry for large sample loads Multi-user data entry at a single site Data entry for reporting proficiency test results Version 2 will be deployed to BioWatch labs first, followed by a phased rollout to the entire LRN. Future releases of the application will include the ability to receive electronic test requests, which will advance labs toward greater interconnectivity with partners. LRN Results Messenger