Newsbytes

LOINC for IVD (LIVD) is a format to facilitate the publication and exchange of LOINC codes for in vitro diagnostic test results linked to IVD test transmission codes or manual test identification. LIVD content is used by IVD software systems to automate the mapping between vendor IVD test transmission codes and LOINC codes.

Version 2.0 contains updates to the SARS-CoV-2 LIVD reference file maintained by the CDC. The updates are based on feedback from those using LIVD when reporting SARS-CoV-2 IVD test results. The latest specification also includes:

• the LOINC version ID as a LOINC data element to support mappings to multiple versions of LOINC in the same catalog.
• test kit and test kit-type fields to support test kit universal identifiers.
• the Health Level 7 International FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) standards framework in lieu of the IICC-developed JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) open standard file format.

The LOINC for IVD standard can be implemented under a limited, nonexclusive, royalty-free public license. The LIVD V2.0 specification is available at http://ivdconnectivity.org/livd/.

Alliance to create sandbox to promote interoperability

The multi-organization collaboration InterOp.Community has announced plans to offer a virtual developer sandbox to promote open-source software and open platforms for health data exchange.

The community, a joint venture of the Interoperability Institute, Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise USA, Interopion, and Red Hat, will give developers the resources to collaborate on advancing interoperability. It will provide standards-driven interfaces for common components in EHR, laboratory, hospital, health information exchange, and insurer systems.

The sandbox is “the next-generation proving ground in the cloud, complete with tools to help build, launch, and test health apps as well as model real world health care scenarios with synthetic data,” according to an overview of the technology incubator project posted on the Interoperability Institute website.

The InterOp.Community was expected to launch the sandbox during the second quarter of this year.

Microsoft to purchase Nuance Communications

Microsoft has announced plans to acquire Nuance Communications as part of an effort to boost its portfolio of cloud-based products, which includes Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare.

Nuance is a provider of conversational artificial intelligence and cloud-based ambient clinical intelligence solutions, including the Dragon Medical One speech-recognition platform.

Microsoft and Nuance have collaborated since 2019 via a strategic development partnership.

The acquisition is expected to be finalized by the end of 2021.

Nuance Communications, 781-565-5000

LigoLab Web portal supports school surveillance testing

LigoLab’s TestDirectly direct-to-consumer platform supports COVID-19 school surveillance testing via test event scheduling and test collection, automated patient notification, and patient results reporting.

School districts can use the platform to organize and create testing events based on school location and patient type (student, teacher, or other staff member) by uploading patient demographics into the school’s administrative portal via a CSV (comma-separated values) file or other method. School administrators, the CDC, and other government agencies can monitor test orders and results in real time.

TestDirectly can be used to prepare a batch testing event by generating all specimen labels simultaneously or automatically sending an email notification to each patient or parent of a minor inviting them to create a TestDirectly account.

TestDirectly can be integrated with laboratory information systems, revenue cycle management solutions, and EHR systems.

LigoLab, 818-395-4659

Paige and Epredia announce global distribution partnership

The computational pathology company Paige has entered a commercial distribution agreement for its portfolio of diagnostic software solutions with Epredia, a precision cancer diagnostics firm.

Under terms of the agreement, Epredia will serve as a global distribution partner for Paige’s imaging diagnostic products and hold exclusive distribution rights in Japan.

Epredia will commercialize Paige solutions alongside its products in the United States and select European countries beginning in the second quarter, according to an announcement from Epredia.

Paige’s portfolio includes the Paige Platform imaging solution, which comprises a viewer, storage capabilities, and artificial intelligence-based diagnostic software and is compatible with most laboratory information systems.

Epredia, 800-522-7270

Dr. Aller practices clinical informatics in Southern California. He can be reached at raller@usc.edu. Dennis Winsten is founder of Dennis Winsten & Associates, Healthcare Systems Consultants. He can be reached at dwinsten.az@gmail.com.