> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.elationhealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Message Header (MSH)

R = required. O = optional `YYYYMMDDhhmm` are in 24hr format char(x) means maximum x characters

| seq | type           | opt | Description                                                                                                                            |
| --- | -------------- | --- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 3   | char(50)       | O   | PATH: pathology report RAD: imaging/radiology report TRANS: transcription/hospital `reportNull` or all other values: laboratory report |
| 4   | char(50)       | R   | Sending Facility ID                                                                                                                    |
| 6   | char(50)       | R   | Receiving Facility ID This must be a unique ID for each practice.                                                                      |
| 7   | `YYYYMMDDhhmm` | R   | Date/Time Of Message                                                                                                                   |

<CodeGroup>
  ```text text theme={null}
  MSH|^~\&||LVMH||SFMH|20161022154733||||||||
  ```
</CodeGroup>