Healthcare organizations rely on a complex web of digital systems to deliver efficient, safe, and coordinated patient care. These systems—ranging from electronic medical records (EMRs) and laboratory information systems to staff management and pharmacy automation—are typically built on diverse platforms and coded in various programming languages. Without a standardized method for data exchange, these disparate systems would operate in isolation, leading to fragmented information, inefficient workflows, increased risks to patient safety, and the need for multiple logins. To address these challenges, the healthcare industry employs a universal standard for data sharing known as Health Level Seven, or HL7. But what exactly is HL7, and how does it facilitate seamless communication across healthcare IT systems?
The HL7 standard provides a widely accepted framework for transmitting and interpreting healthcare data among different software applications, even when they are developed independently or by competing vendors. Its design offers enough flexibility to accommodate customizations without disrupting interoperability, making it adaptable to the unique needs of various healthcare settings. HL7 messages are formatted in a human-readable text structure, which simplifies understanding and troubleshooting for technical staff. For non-technical users, this results in a more transparent and cohesive view of patient data, enhancing overall clinical workflows and decision-making processes.
Videos on Interfaces, HL7, & Interface Engines
To assist newcomers in grasping the fundamentals of HL7, several educational videos have been created. These resources serve as valuable starting points before exploring more advanced topics. Watching these videos can help clarify how HL7 messages are constructed and interpreted, providing a solid foundation for further study.
How To Read HL7 Messages
While numerous websites offer information about HL7 message types, many lack user-friendly interfaces or are overly technical for beginners. After filtering through these resources, I recommend the following for effective learning:
- HL7.org – This is the official international standards organization for HL7. Although the content can seem dry initially, it offers authoritative guidance on the standards.
- Corpoint HL7 Resources – Operated by Corepoint Health, a vendor that provides HL7 interface engines, this site offers practical reference materials. It’s important to note that I have no official affiliation with them; they simply provide good educational content that helps demystify HL7 messaging.
HL7 Sample Messages
Once familiar with basic concepts and message structures, examining sample HL7 messages can deepen understanding. These examples showcase how data is organized into segments separated by pipes (`|`) and demonstrate typical clinical and administrative messages.
What Is a Bidirectional Interface?
A bidirectional interface enables two systems to exchange data seamlessly, ensuring that updates in one system are reflected in the other without manual intervention. If you’re new to healthcare interfaces, I recommend reviewing the basics of HL7 and interface principles before diving into specific messaging examples.
ADT Admit Message – ADT^A01
This message handles patient admissions and contains key demographic and visit information. For instance, the PID segment includes the patient’s identity, such as name, date of birth, and address. The PV1 segment details the visit information, while NK1 references next of kin. The AL1 segment records allergies, which are crucial for patient safety.
“`plaintext
MSH|^~&|EPIC|SYS|HOSP|ADT|201502031126|SEC|ADT^A01|001199|P|2.3
EVN|A01|201502031126
PID|||12001||SIMPSON^HOMER||19670824|M|||123 Fake St.^^Springfield^OR^90020^USA|||||||
NK1|1|SIMPSON^MARGE|WIFE||||||NK
PV1|1|I|2000^2012^01||||11277^SIMPSON^BART^J|||SUR||-||ADM|A0-
AL1|1||^Penicillin||Hives
“`
ORM Message ORM^O01 – Orders for Laboratory Tests
This message initiates a lab order. The message begins with the MSH segment, followed by patient and visit details. The ORC segment indicates a new order (`NW`) with an order control number, linking subsequent result messages back to this order. The OBR segment specifies the particular test requested.
“`plaintext
MSH|^~&|HIS|EPIC|LAB|HOSP|20140307110114
||ORM^O01|07110114|P|2.3
PID|||12001||SIMPSON^HOMER||19670824|M|||123 Fake St.^^Springfield^OR^90020^USA|||||||
PV1||O|OP^PAREG^||||2342^SIMPSON^HOMER|||OP|||||||||2||||||||
|||||||||||||||||20140307110111|
ORC|NW|20140307110114
OBR|1|20140307110114||12345^Urinalysis^L|||20140307110114
“`
ORU Message ORU^R01 – Lab Results
This message reports lab results back to the system, correlating with the initial order via the order control number. The OBX segments contain specific test result data, such as specific gravity and urine appearance.
“`plaintext
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MSH|^~&|HIS|EPIC|LAB|HOSP|20140307110114||ORU^R01|07110114|P|2.3
PID|||12001||SIMPSON^HOMER||19670824|M|||123 Fake St.^^Springfield^OR^90020
^USA|||||||
PV1||O|OP^PAREG^||||2342^SIMPSON^HOMER|||OP|||||||||2|||||||||||||||||
||||||||20140307110111|
ORC|RE|20140307110114
OBR|1|20140307110114|20140307110114|12345^Urinalysis^L|
OBX|1|NM|013060^Specific Gravity^L||1.010||1.005-1.030|||N|F|
OBX|2|CE|013045^Urine-Color^L||Y^Yellow^L||Y|||N|F|
OBX|3|ST|013052^Appearance^L||Hazy||Clear|A||N|F|
“`
MFN Master File Notification – Staff Update
HL7 isn’t limited to clinical data; it also manages administrative information. This example shows how personnel data, such as a physician’s contact details, is updated through a master file message.
“`plaintext
MSH|^~&|STAFFSYS|B3|LABSYS|B3|201410121201||MFN^M02|DG29AFSC|P|2.3
STF||DRID12|PHYSICIAN^NICK^””||||A||HOSP_ID^HOSPNAME|3098522222
|ADDRESS^ADD2^CITY^ST^ZIP
“`
Interface Engines / Integration Engines
An interface engine, often called an integration engine, acts as the central hub managing data flow between multiple healthcare IT systems. Think of it as a traffic controller, directing data packets securely and efficiently across various applications within a hospital or healthcare network. The technical team configures individual threads on the engine—each responsible for specific data types or workflows, such as patient admissions, lab results, medication orders, or staff updates. These threads facilitate data exchange, reformatting, and routing based on predefined rules.
Organizations may also deploy interface engines for specialized tasks, such as migrating legacy data into new systems or managing limited-time data exchanges. For example, a hospital might use an interface engine to load historical patient records into a new EMR, reformatting data for compatibility.
Working with interface engines is a specialized career path, with professionals focusing solely on configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting these complex systems. Notable interface engines include Cloverleaf, Corepoint, Rhapsody, Datagate, and IGUANA.
Related Reading
Understanding the architecture of healthcare IT systems is crucial. For example, exploring how multiple software environments operate within a healthcare organization helps ensure interoperability and data consistency. To learn more about the foundational structures, visit this article on healthcare systems architecture for insights into how different environments are managed and integrated.
For a deeper dive into AI’s role in healthcare workflows, consider exploring practical methods AI can be integrated into clinical settings. Additionally, understanding the underlying principles of AI’s operation within the healthcare context can be achieved by reviewing how AI functions within the industry.
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Article Name: Interfaces, HL7, & Interface Engines
Description: An introduction to healthcare data interfaces, HL7 standards, and the role of interface engines in modern medical environments.
Author: Dave Newman
Source: HealthcareITSkills.com