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Glossary Term
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Health Level Seven (HL7)

Definition

Health Level Seven (HL7) is a set of international standards for the exchange, integration, sharing, and retrieval of electronic health information. Developed by the HL7 International organization, these standards enable interoperability between different healthcare systems and applications, ensuring seamless communication and data exchange to improve patient care and operational efficiency.

Relevance to the MedTech Industry

HL7 facilitates the integration of medical devices, electronic health records (EHRs), and other healthcare information systems by providing standardized communication protocols. It ensures that medical device data can be securely and accurately transmitted to healthcare providers, enhancing clinical workflows and decision-making.

Additional Information & Related Terms

Key HL7 Standards

  1. HL7 v2: A widely adopted standard for messaging protocols used in hospital systems, such as lab results and admission data.

  2. HL7 v3: A more structured standard with an emphasis on data modeling and semantics, used for complex data exchanges.

  3. FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources): A modern standard designed for web-based applications, enabling faster and more flexible healthcare data exchange.

  4. CDA (Clinical Document Architecture): A standard for the structure and exchange of clinical documents, such as discharge summaries and imaging reports.

Examples of Applications

  • Integrating a wearable glucose monitor with an EHR system using HL7 FHIR for real-time data sharing.

  • Enabling automated transmission of diagnostic lab results to healthcare providers using HL7 v2 messaging.

  • Designing a remote patient monitoring system that utilizes HL7 standards to ensure compatibility with telehealth platforms.

  • Supporting hospital workflows by transmitting patient admission and discharge data using HL7 standards.

Related Terms

  • Interoperability: The ability of healthcare systems and devices to exchange and use data seamlessly, supported by HL7 standards.

  • Electronic Health Record (EHR): A system that often relies on HL7 for integrating medical device data.

  • Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR): A modern HL7 standard gaining traction for its flexibility and efficiency.

  • Data Security: A critical consideration for HL7-compliant systems, particularly when handling patient health information (PHI).

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