Format/length:	an1
HES item:
National Codes:
Default Codes:

Notes:

Definition:
This indicates whether the Interchange is a production or test Interchange.

CODE	CLASSIFICATION
1	The whole Interchange contains TEST data
0 (zero)	The whole Interchange contains PRODUCTION data
Other	The whole Interchange contains PRODUCTION data
Blank	The whole Interchange contains PRODUCTION data
Null	The whole Interchange contains PRODUCTION data

Usage:
This optional test facility enables interchanges submitted to be marked and therefore processed as TEST or PRODUCTION data.
Whilst the data element is optional it is highly recommended that correct values be completed in the data.
On receipt of a TEST Interchange, the processes are as follows:
a) All normal validation processes will be carried out
b) The Interchange data will not be entered into the database
c) The Interchange data will not be delivered to any receiver

CDS-XML Interchanges:
All CDS-XML interchanges submitted must contain a CDS INTERCHANGE TEST INDICATOR.

NHSCDS EDIFACT Interchanges:
The CDS INTERCHANGE TEST INDICATOR is represented by the data value contained in the EDIFACT UNB 0035 EDIFACT Test Indicator. EDI gateway management and translation solution sets usually generate the required EDIFACT Service Segments (UNB, UNH, UNT, UNZ).

CDS INTERFACE GATEWAY SERVICE Interchanges:
The CDS INTERCHANGE TEST INDICATOR is represented by the data value contained in the Test Indicator data field as defined in the CDS Interface Gateway Service Control record. The authorised source of this definition is contained in the NWCS User Guide.

Note:
A further test facility exists where an individual CDS may be marked as test by setting the CDS TEST INDICATOR in the CDS Transaction Header Group.