Support in HL7 messaging for returning Morphine Equivalence information for prescriptions and dispenses

Jennifer,

I have looked at existing HL7 standards, both within Canada and internationally, and there are no specific v3 models that provide this information nor does v2 have a message structure to support it. To extend the CeRx or Canadian MR v3 standard to support it, we'd need to do a requirements gathering phase to determine the proper data elements that are needed and then we'd need to model them appropriately.

As it turns out, as part of the Medication Management community, Seema Nayani is going to be launching a working group to look at this very question. So you should ensure that you are a member of the Medication Management community and watch for more information there on this topic.

We are looking for guidance from the HL7 standards on how morphine equivalence information should be returned within the HL7 messaging?

We are wondering if any jurisdictions are currently returning morphine equivalence information back to pharmacists for prescriptions and dispenses entered into the jurisdictional EHR , and what elements they are using to returning the information?

If the Hl7 standard does not currently support a method for returning morphine equivalence information does Infoway/HL7 have any plans to adopt any additional messaging standards or extend the current HL7 standard to help the jurisdictions with the Canadian National Opioid Strategy?