Lab Compendium

The Lab Compendium defines the set of supported tests and ordering requirements for each laboratory in Lab Network.

Each laboratory maintains its own compendium. Lab Network validates your requested tests against the selected laboratory’s compendium and uses it to determine whether orders can be accepted and routed.

The compendium ensures that submitted orders use valid test codes, include required data, and meet laboratory-specific constraints for successful routing and fulfillment.

Overview

The compendium acts as the source of truth for laboratory ordering.

It defines:

• Which tests are available for ordering
• Which codes must be used for submission
• What data is required to complete an order
• How orders are validated

Orders must align with the selected laboratory’s compendium to pass validation and be routed successfully.

If your order does not align with the compendium, Lab Network rejects the request and returns an OperationOutcome.

Compendium Structure

Each laboratory compendium is a structured catalog of test definitions.

Each entry may include:

• Test identifier: The laboratory-specific code used for ordering and routing
• Test name: Human-readable display name
• Standard mappings: Associated codes such as LOINC or SNOMED CT, when available
• Specimen requirements: Required specimen types, handling instructions, and collection details
• Ordering rules: Conditions under which the test can be ordered
• Required inputs: Additional data required at order time for specific tests, such as clinical details, patient information, or order-specific parameters defined by the laboratory
• Turnaround time: Expected time between order submission and result availability

Tests may be grouped into panels, specialties, or categories depending on the laboratory’s taxonomy.

Each compendium entry is specific to a laboratory and is only valid for that routing destination.

Compendium Lookup

Retrieve available tests for a laboratory using the ValueSet associated with that laboratory's compendium.

GET /fhir/R4/ValueSet/{compendium-id}/$expand?filter={search-term}

Example Response

{
  "resourceType": "ValueSet",
  "expansion": {
    "contains": [
      {
        "code": "005009",
        "display": "CBC with Differential"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Use the returned code when populating ServiceRequest.code in your order payload.

Validation and Alignment

Lab Network validates each order against the selected laboratory’s compendium before routing.

Validation checks include:

• Confirming that the test code exists and is active in the compendium
• Ensuring that required specimen and clinical fields are present
• Verifying that required inputs are provided for tests that require additional data
• Confirming compatibility with routing and configuration rules
• Rejecting requests for unsupported, restricted, or deprecated tests

Missing required inputs or invalid codes result in order rejection with an OperationOutcome response.

Compendium misalignment is the most common cause of order submission failures.

Test Code Mapping

Map your internal test catalog to laboratory-specific compendium codes.

This includes:

• Maintaining mappings between your internal codes and each laboratory’s codes
• Updating mappings when compendia change
• Ensuring that all submitted orders use valid lab-specific identifiers

Incorrect or outdated mappings result in rejected orders or incorrect routing. Compendium codes must be used exactly as provided by the selected laboratory and should not be reused across laboratories.

Multi-Laboratory Considerations

When your implementation supports multiple laboratories:

• Each laboratory has its own compendium
• The same test may have different codes across laboratories
• Some tests may only be available from specific laboratories

Select a laboratory and use codes from that laboratory’s compendium. Orders that include tests from multiple laboratories may require separation into multiple orders.

Routing and Order Separation

Compendium alignment directly affects routing behavior.

If an order contains tests that cannot be fulfilled by a single laboratory:

• Lab Network may require separation of the order
• Orders may be split based on laboratory compatibility and routing rules

Order separation ensures that each test is routed to a laboratory that supports it.

Specimen Requirements

Some tests require specific specimen types or collection conditions.

Compendium entries define:

• Required specimen types
• Collection timing or conditions
• Additional handling instructions

When required, include a Specimen resource that satisfies these requirements. Failure to meet specimen requirements may result in rejected or incomplete orders.

Required Inputs

Some tests require additional data at order time.

These inputs may include:

• Clinical information
• Patient-specific details
• Order-specific parameters required by the laboratory

You must include required inputs when submitting the order. Missing required inputs may result in validation failure.

Compendium Updates

Laboratory compendia change over time.

Updates may include:

• New or deprecated test codes
• Changes to specimen requirements
• Updates to orderability rules
• Modifications to required inputs or metadata

Keep mappings up to date and validate changes in the sandbox environment. Outdated mappings or configurations may result in rejected orders or incorrect routing.

Compendiums may differ between environments. Verify that test codes used in sandbox match your production configuration.

Workflow Considerations

To ensure reliable ordering:

• Validate test codes before submission
• Maintain accurate and current code mappings
• Confirm specimen requirements when applicable
• Provide required inputs for tests that require additional data
• Align all orders with the selected laboratory’s compendium
• Handle OperationOutcome responses for validation failures

These practices reduce order rejection and improve routing success.

Limitations

Compendium definitions vary by laboratory.

Differences may include:

• Available tests
• Coding systems and mappings
• Specimen requirements
• Orderability constraints
• Required inputs for specific tests

Your system must account for these differences when supporting multiple laboratories.

Summary

The Lab Compendium defines how laboratory tests are ordered within Lab Network. Orders must align with the selected laboratory’s compendium to pass validation and be routed successfully.

Use the compendium to ensure correct test selection, complete data submission, and reliable order processing across laboratories.