Health Practitioner Index dataset and code set released for public comment
The development a Health Practitioner Index (HPI) system for streamlining transactions and information transfer within
the health sector has taken a further step forward with the announcement of a public consultation process.
The Health Information Standards Organisation (HISO), a Ministerially appointed national health information standards
body, has released for public comment a package of draft dataset and code set documents for the HPI.
HISO Chairman Paul Cressey says the dataset standard has wide implications for all health information systems and
providers in the health sector. It includes national standards for name and address information, which are based on the
e-Government XML-based standard, xNAL (XML Name and Address).
The HPI dataset, and associated code set, defines which data will be collected and used for the unique identification of
registered healthcare practitioners, health sector workers and healthcare organisations and facilities.
“This is the first major dataset standard to be developed by HISO and the sector has for some time been waiting for an
effective system that will consistently identify health professionals, their organisations and their facilities," says
Mr Cressey.
"The HPI dataset and code set standards have only been made possible by the significant contribution of the number of
sector representatives working together on the HISO HPI Expert Committee.”
Chair of Health Practitioner Index Steering Group for development HPI, Ministry of Health Corporate and Information
Deputy Director-General Debbie Chin, who is also on the HISO committee, says …
“Both HISO and the HPI were identified in the top 10 priorities in the health information sector’s WAVE (Working to Add
Value through E-Health) Report, published in 2001 by the Ministry of Health.
It is planned to introduce the HPI in stages, with a pilot planned for later this year. Once set up, the HPI will be
co-ordinated by the Ministry of Health.”
The dataset and code set documents are out for public comment, submissions will close on 25/09/2004. Copies of the
documents can be obtained from the HPI web page which is accessible at: http://www.nzhis.govt.nz/hpi/index.html