Overview - ISO 6028:2023 (Healthcare organization management - Pandemic response)
ISO 6028:2023 specifies functional requirements for a self-initiated disease self-symptom checker app designed to support early screening and control of pandemics (for example, COVID-19). The standard describes the app as a frontline digital tool enabling individuals to record and report pandemic-related symptoms, locate screening stations, and access health consultation channels. It is intended to guide development, deployment and integration of symptom-checker applications used by healthcare organizations, public health authorities and private-sector operators.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Four core functional components are defined:
- Self-registration - user onboarding and credential validation; includes alert configuration, optional GPS activation, camera access for ID capture, and handling registration errors.
- Symptom checking - capture and reporting of asymptomatic and symptomatic cases, defined error states, and associated data elements for screening workflows.
- Guidance on screening stations - locate and display nearby screening/test sites using GPS or other positioning services; functionality for contacting sites.
- Health consultation - channels to connect users with health experts (chatbot, messaging, email) and application update handling.
- External services & data flows - the app is central to optional integrations: health authorities (subject to user consent and local privacy laws) can receive aggregated or individual demographic/symptom data to trigger follow-up actions (e.g., testing, quarantine).
- Operational considerations included:
- Data elements and error management for each component.
- Termination of app use procedures.
- Annex A (informative) provides quality considerations and references ISO/TS 82304-2 for additional health software guidance.
- No normative references are required by the document.
Practical applications and target users
- Practical uses:
- Border and points-of-entry health screening to reduce importation of infection.
- Workplace and campus screening programs to monitor and isolate potential cases early.