> ## 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>