MSH timestamps

[Michael Hertel]

So here’s an interesting one. I’d appreciate opinions.

We are in Seattle using PDT time.

We interface to our vendor Crothall whos system is in North Carolina (EDT).

We send them ADT with PDT as timestamp in MSH.

They send us bed status’ back (A20’s) when the housekeepers here in Seattle clean the beds. Since their system in NC is on EDT, they send out EDT in the MSH timestamp.

I am asking them to change the timestamp in MSH to PDT and am getting pushback. Their response: “This would need development work and have development costs. Since it is always a 3 hour difference is this causing issues in your system?”

What timestamp do you think should be in the MSH? PDT or EDT?

Thanks in advance for your opinion.

Topic

[James Cobane]

The date/time reflected in the message should be that of the sending system.  Thus, you should be sending your date/time (PDT), and the vendor should be sending their date/time (EDT).  There is a component of the date/time field to specify the Time Zone.

My $.02 worth.

Jim Cobane

Henry Ford Health

[Author]

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