Understanding HL7 Standards: HL7 v2, v3, and FHIR Explained
Healthcare systems around the world are increasingly reliant on digital technologies to store, manage, and share patient information. However, without standardized communication protocols, the seamless exchange of this information becomes nearly impossible. Enter HL7 —a set of international standards for the exchange, integration, sharing, and retrieval of electronic health information. Developed by Health Level Seven International (HL7) , these standards aim to bridge the gaps between diverse healthcare applications, ensuring that systems can “speak” to each other effectively. Over the years, HL7 has released multiple versions of its standards, including HL7 v2, HL7 v3 , and the modern FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) . This article will explore the evolution of HL7 standards, compare HL7 v2, v3, and FHIR, and discuss their relevance in today’s healthcare ecosystem. What is HL7? HL7 (Health Level Seven) refers to a set of international standards used for transfe...