HL7 FHIR began with an open-ended question: What would health data exchange look like if we started from scratch using modern approaches? To answer this question, HL7 turned to other industries for ideas. Recent interoperability successes pointed strongly to the use of RESTful-based APIs.
HL7 FHIR combines the best features of HL7 V2, HL7 V3, and CDA, while leveraging the latest web service technologies. FHIR is based on modular components called “resources,” and these resources can be combined to solve clinical and administrative problems in a practical way. FHIR is still being developed by HL7, but the first Draft Standard for Trial Use was available in 2014, and the first normative edition is planned for 2017.
The FHIR standard is based on the following simple five key points:
- Faster to learn and implement
- Lower cost
- Scales well from simple to complex
- Flexible
- Free
The impact of these key points is discussed in our comprehensive FHIR White Paper. Download it today!
You can also watch a FHIR webinar, caught by Corepoint Health CTO Dave Shaver, in our YouTube video, titled “hl7 fhir: the future of health data exchange.”
