Coding scheme
for Properties in Laboratory Medicine (Project
710/18/87)
Since 1995, the Commission of Nomenclature, Properties
and Units (C-NPU of IFCC and IUPAC) has published nine papers on a
coding system (i.e. a structure or a frame for the pairs of codes
and meaning) and a coding scheme (i.e. the pairs of codes and their
meaning), for Properties in Laboratory Medicine. 'Meanings' can be
descriptions of properties which are measured or observed in laboratory
medicine. A further four papers are now added with codes in the domains
of Allergology, Medical Microbiology, Pharmacology and Clinical Chemistry.
The codes offer a unique and sufficient information about the properties
and is therefore extremely valuable in the transfer of information
between laboratories and to the end users of laboratory information.
The codes make it possible to translate the data to any language automatically.
So far the meanings have been tested for translation into 18 languages,
including many of the European languages, Arabic and Cantonese.
The coding scheme thus comprises a total of 10083 pairs
with the international coding scheme identifier "NPU" for properties,
and a further 13379 pairs for elements. These latter ones are for
use primarily as results of taxonomic investigations; example:
NPU16294 Secretion(Oropharynx)-Bacterium+Fungus; taxon
= ATCC12600 (Staphylococcus aureus); ATCC12344 (Streptococcus
pyogenes)
NPU04062 Urine-Benzodiazepines; taxon = CAS846-49-1(Lorazepam);
CAS439-14-5(Diazepam)
In order to test the functionality, the coding scheme
has been succesfully mapped to the various codes which are presently
used in more than 50 medical laboratories in Denmark and Sweden. To
accommodate national or local needs special codes can be used.
The domains presently covered by the IFCC/IUPAC coding
scheme are Allergology, Clinical Chemistry, IOC prohibited Drugs,
Microbiology, Pharmacology, Reproduction and Fertility, Thromboses
and Haemostasis, Trace Elements. The schemes have been prepared in
collaboration with professional groups and organisatons which represent
the various specialities.
Coding schemes for Inborn Errors, Molecular Biology, Tissue
Typing, Transfusion Medicine are to be prepared . The coding scheme
is accessible on www.ifcc-iupac.suite.dk [later revised to http://dior.imt.liu.se/cnpu/
] and for practical application, see http://www.labinfo.dk/
> Back
to Project description
> Link to Commission
Committee on Nomenclature, Properties and Units (C-NPU)
of the International Federation of
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine and
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
Dr. Henrik
Olesen
9 May 2000
[also published in Chem. Int. 22(6), 2000]
