HL7 Integration: What Is It and How To Do It Properly

Shockingly, just a few years ago, only 62% of U.S. hospitals could engage in all four key domains of interoperability: finding, sending, receiving, and integrating patient data, Statista reported. This means nearly 40% of hospitals faced challenges in smoothly sharing vital patient information, potentially compromising the quality of patient care.

With such statistical data, HL7 standards became a ray of hope. HL7 aims to bridge these communication gaps and improve the content structure of medical data. HL7 makes gathering, interpreting, and sharing clinical data between healthcare professionals effective and trouble-free.

The healthcare data interoperability market is projected to reach $19.28 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 18.3%, according to Frost & Sullivan. This increase shows a huge demand for effective HL7 data integration solutions. The good news: you will find these solutions in this post.

In this article, we'll explore:

• What HL7 integration is, and what HL7 standards exist
• APIs vs HL7 comparison
• How HL7 integration works, its components, and the technologies supporting it
• The step-by-step guide to planning, implementing, and optimizing your HL7 integration
• The role HL7 plays in healthcare data exchange
• Key challenges and solutions for coping with the complexities of HL7 integration

Ready? Let’s start!

What Is HL7 and HL7 Integration

Healthcare Level Seven (HL7) is a set of standards that specify how healthcare organizations must collect, process, and share healthcare data. It is a standardized healthcare IT language used by most countries.

The term HL7 comes from Health Level Seven International. This non-profit organization focuses on developing standards for exchanging, integrating, and retrieving electronic health information and improving global health data interoperability.

HL7 integration is the process of implementing HL7 standards and connecting various healthcare applications and systems to enable smooth, secure, and accurate data exchange.

HL7 Standards: Common Language for Healthcare

HL7 standards offer a structured framework that, if followed, makes data exchanged between disparate healthcare systems consistent, precise, and meaningful. HL7 integration creates a unified language for patient data and decreases the risk of mistakes that can occur when systems interpret data differently.

Simply put, HL7 integration results in effective data exchange and interpretation across diverse systems. Below is an overview of the key HL7 standards:

HL7 V2

HL7 Version 2 (V2) is the most widely adopted messaging standard in the healthcare industry. In 2023, a national survey revealed that over 90% of Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) routinely implemented HL7 V2 messages.

HL7 V2 supports real-time information exchange and organizes data into sections that include patient details, clinical observations, administrative data, and other details. HL7 V2 messages are widely used in hospital systems like EHRs (Electronic Health Records), LIS (Laboratory Information System), and RIS (Radiology Information System) to effectively share patient data.

For those readers interested in the technical side, here is how the HL7 V2 message looks from the code perspective:

Note:
For doctors and healthcare providers, HL7 messages are not directly visible in raw code format. Instead, they are processed and displayed in EHR systems or other clinical applications in a user-friendly format.

A typical EHR system takes the structured HL7 message and presents it in a clean, readable format. Here is how the information from an HL7 ADT (Admission) message might appear in a doctor's interface:

This user-friendly format is generated automatically from HL7 messages. The underlying HL7 message is parsed by the hospital system, and the data is displayed in an interface that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff can easily understand.

HL7 V3

HL7 Version 3 (V3) was developed to address some of the limitations of V2 by adopting a more sophisticated model-based approach. With a focus on semantic interoperability, V3 aims to provide a consistent methodology for message construction. However, its increased complexity has limited its adoption compared to V2 and made it more suitable for specialized applications where enhanced data accuracy and fidelity are required.

From a technical point of view, HL7 V3 is based on XML rather than the delimited format of HL7 V2. It is more structured and uses a consistent information model (RIM - Reference Information Model).

Let’s see an example (how it looks from the code perspective):

HL7 CDA

The HL7 Clinical Document Architecture (CDA) is a document markup standard that defines the structure and semantics of clinical documents. CDA enables healthcare industry providers to create, share, and archive medical documents – such as discharge summaries, progress notes, and lab reports – in a standardized format that maintains both human readability and machine interpretability.

HL7 CCD

The Continuity of Care Document (CCD) is a type of HL7 CDA used to exchange patient summary information between various healthcare providers. HL7 CCD focuses on ensuring continuity of care during transitions between healthcare providers. HL7 CCD aggregates vital clinical and administrative data, such as problems, medications, allergies, procedures, and lab results, into a comprehensive document that facilitates smooth transitions and coordinated care.

HL7 FHIR

HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) represents the next generation of healthcare data exchange standards. FHIR combines the best features of previous HL7 versions with modern web technologies. Unlike traditional HL7 V2/V3, which rely on structured messages, HL7 FHIR is designed for API-driven, real-time data exchange using REST, JSON, and XML.

HL7 FHIR enables fast, scalable healthcare data exchange, supporting mobile apps, cloud-based services, and AI-driven healthcare solutions. Its modular design allows for incremental implementation, which makes it a popular choice among organizations aiming to modernize their IT infrastructure without discarding their legacy systems.

The 2024 State Of FHIR Survey concluded that FHIR adoption varies across countries. Lithuania and Switzerland now recognize it as their main standard for healthcare data exchange. In 2023, the number of countries adopting FNIR grew, including Belgium, New Zealand, Thailand, the UK, Lithuania, and Switzerland. This means FHIR is expanding beyond isolated use cases.

Meanwhile, many countries still use FHIR only for specific applications, which reflect different adoption stages. However, progress is evident, with several nations, including Cyprus, reporting increased usage. Additionally, nearly 70% of participants confirm effective FHIR implementations that have enhanced information access, while a smaller portion have noted lower expenses and improved care.

HL7 SPL

HL7 Structured Product Labeling (SPL) is an XML-based standard for structuring drug labeling information, which ensures consistency and compliance with regulatory requirements. Agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) use HL7 SPL as it standardizes essential drug details such as ingredients, dosage, and warnings. Since it is machine-readable, SPL enables seamless integration with EHRs, pharmacy systems, and online databases and improves access to accurate medication information for healthcare providers and patients.

HL7 EHR-S FM

HL7 Electronic Health Record System Functional Model (EHR-S FM) defines functional requirements for EHR systems and helps ensure they support patient care, administrative processes, and security needs. It provides a framework for evaluating EHR capabilities and makes it easier for vendors, healthcare providers, and regulators to assess system functionality. The model includes direct care functions like clinical decision support, supportive functions such as billing, and infrastructure elements like security and interoperability.

HL7 PHR-S FM

HL7 Personal Health Record System Functional Model (PHR-S FM) focuses on personal health records and enables individuals to manage their own medical history, medications, and wellness data. It emphasizes patient empowerment, interoperability with provider EHRs, and strong security measures. PHR systems are used by patients, healthcare providers, and insurers to support better care coordination, symptom tracking, and medication management.

Let’s summarize the key differences and look at the HL7 standards comparison table:

Key takeaways:

• HL7 V2 is still the most widely used standard in hospitals but lacks structure.
• HL7 V3 aimed for standardization but became complex and was not widely adopted.
• HL7 CDA is the go-to format for clinical documents like discharge summaries.
• HL7 CCD is a specialized version of CDA used for patient health summaries.
• HL7 FHIR is the future of interoperability in the healthcare industry, supporting modern web APIs.
• HL7 SPL is mainly for pharmaceutical companies and drug labeling regulations.
• HL7 EHR-S FM and PHR-S FM are frameworks, defining what EHRs and PHRs should include.

HL7 Integration Use Cases

Here are some examples of HL7 integration use cases:

1. EHR interoperability & patient data exchange. HL7 enables smooth data transfer between EHR systems.
2. Automated appointment scheduling. When a patient books an appointment, HL7 synchronizes scheduling data across systems.
3. Radiology results retrieval. Doctors can instantly request and receive radiology reports from radiological information systems.
4. Prescription ordering & fulfillment. Physicians send prescription orders via HL7, being sure that pharmacies receive, process, and confirm them.
5. Billing & insurance claims automation. HL7 integration automates invoice generation, insurance verification, and claims submission.
6. Remote patient monitoring. Wearable devices send real-time information to EHRs and alert doctors to critical health changes.
7. Public health & immunization reporting. HL7 automates immunization data submission to state registries and can retrieve vaccination records.
8. Chronic disease management. Standardized HL7 messages help specialists share medical summaries for patients with chronic conditions.

How HL7 Integration Works: Key Components

The process of HL7 integration involves several steps and components that ensure data is exchanged accurately and securely. Here are the key components that make HL7 integration work:

Data standardization

At the heart of HL7 integration is the standardization of data. Regardless of whether data originates from an EHR, a laboratory system, or a mobile health device, it must be normalized to conform to HL7 standards. This involves mapping various data elements, such as patient demographics, clinical observations, and diagnostic codes, to standardized formats. This standardization ensures that all systems speak the same language, reduces errors, and improves interoperability.

Messaging framework

HL7 integration relies on structured messaging frameworks. In HL7 V2, data is segmented into distinct fields and segments (e.g., patient identification, clinical orders, etc.), each following a specific order and format. This structured approach allows receiving systems to parse the data accurately. As described above, HL7 V3 takes this further and uses a model-driven approach, which enhances semantic consistency across messages.

Document architecture

For clinical documents, HL7 employs architectures such as CDA and CCD. These frameworks ensure that documents retain their clinical context and readability while being machine-processable. Healthcare providers should use standardized document structures to exchange comprehensive clinical narratives alongside discrete data elements and facilitate better care coordination.

API-driven communication

The advent of HL7 FHIR changed the integration process by introducing API-driven communication. FHIR leverages modern web protocols and RESTful APIs, which makes it easier to integrate with cloud-based systems and mobile applications. This approach simplifies exchange of data and improves the scalability and adaptability of healthcare IT systems.

Security and compliance

Given the sensitivity of data in the healthcare industry, HL7 EMR integration incorporates strict security protocols. Data encryption, secure transmission channels, and robust access controls are standard practices to ensure compliance with regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR. These measures protect patient information from unauthorized access and cyber threats and build trust among stakeholders.

Real-time and batch processing

HL7 integration supports both real-time information exchange, which is critical in emergency care and clinical decision-making, and batch processing, which is used for less time-sensitive information. Real-time integration ensures that patient electronic health care data is available instantly when needed, while batch processing helps manage large volumes of data without compromising system performance.

Data transformation and mapping

A crucial aspect of HL7 integration is the transformation of data from proprietary formats to standardized HL7 messages. This process often involves middleware that translates the data and validates it against HL7 schemas to ensure consistency and accuracy.

Let’s now explore a detailed roadmap for healthcare organizations aiming to integrate HL7!

12 Steps Roadmap of the HL7 Integration Lifecycle

A structured HL7 integration lifecycle ensures seamless information exchange while addressing compatibility, security, and performance challenges. Following these 12 steps will help IT teams and CTOs successfully plan, implement, and maintain HL7 integration in their healthcare systems.

Step 1. Assess the current IT environment

A thorough assessment of the existing IT infrastructure is essential before starting HL7 integration. Identify all data sources, systems, and endpoints involved in the integration, including legacy systems, cloud-based applications, and specialized medical devices. Understanding the current environment helps pinpoint compatibility issues, security risks, and potential integration obstacles.

Key actions:

• Inventory all relevant systems (EHRs, PACS, LIS, etc.).
• Identify data formats currently in use.
• Review network architecture and security protocols.
• Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.

Step 2. Evaluate HL7 compatibility

Assess whether existing systems support HL7 standards. Review system documentation, consult vendors, and conduct pilot tests to verify compatibility with the HL7 implementation plan. If systems lack HL7 support, explore middleware solutions or custom integration development.

Key actions:

• Confirm compatibility with EHR and ancillary systems.
• Determine if middleware or interface engines are required.
• Assess system upgrade requirements and associated costs.

Step 3. Define integration objectives and scope

Clearly define the goals and scope of the implementation of HL7 project. Establish whether the integration will be enterprise-wide or a pilot project for a specific department. Define measurable objectives such as reducing data latency, improving interoperability, or enhancing data accuracy.

Key actions:

• Identify key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Set short-term and long-term integration objectives.
• Align goals with stakeholders and organizational strategy.

Step 4. Select an HL7 integration approach

Choose the most suitable integration strategy based on organizational needs. Consider direct point-to-point connections, integration engines, or cloud-based solutions for centralized information exchange. Weigh the cost, scalability, and maintenance requirements of each approach.

Key actions:

• Compare direct integration vs. middleware solutions.
• Evaluate cost-effectiveness, scalability, and long-term maintenance.
• Ensure vendor support and alignment with industry best practices.

Step 5. Build the integration team or partner with a vendor

HL7 integration requires a multidisciplinary team with expertise in healthcare IT, HL7 implementation plan, and system architecture. Assemble an internal team or collaborate with an experienced integration vendor to streamline deployment and avoid technical pitfalls.

Key actions:

• Identify team members with HL7 and healthcare IT expertise.
• Leverage past experience in integration projects.
• Ensure effective collaboration between IT, clinical, and operational teams.

Step 6. Design the integration architecture

Develop a detailed blueprint outlining how data will be exchanged between systems. Define data flow diagrams, transformation rules, security protocols, and error-handling mechanisms. A well-documented architecture provides a clear roadmap for development and future troubleshooting.

Key actions:

• Create comprehensive data flow diagrams and mapping specifications.
• Implement security measures for compliance and data integrity.
• Plan for future scalability and modular expansion.

Step 7. Implement security measures

Data security and compliance are critical for health level seven integration. Implement robust encryption, authentication mechanisms, and role-based access control (RBAC) to safeguard patient data. Ensure the system aligns with HIPAA, GDPR, or other medical data regulations.

Key actions:

• Use TLS/SSL encryption for secure data transmission.
• Implement RBAC and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, or country-specific healthcare regulations.

Step 8. Initiate the integration process

Begin the integration process. Configure communication channels, set up HL7 interfaces, and implement data transformation rules. Ensure that the integration is well-documented for consistency and troubleshooting.

Key actions:

• Configure HL7 interfaces and communication protocols.
• Deploy middleware or interface engines if needed.
• Maintain detailed documentation of all configuration settings.

Step 9. Test, validate, and conduct pilot runs

Conduct comprehensive testing to verify data integrity, accuracy, and system performance. Perform unit testing, integration testing, and full-scale system testing to validate stages of HL7 implementation and compliance and identify potential failures. A pilot run with limited data can uncover unforeseen issues before the full deployment.

Key actions:

• Perform unit, integration, and system-wide testing.
• Validate data accuracy and compliance with HL7 schemas.
• Gather feedback from end-users for real-world performance insights.

Step 10. Deploy and go-live

After successful testing, transition the integration solution into a live production environment. Monitor real-time data exchanges, troubleshoot initial issues, and refine configurations as needed. Consider a phased or staggered rollout to minimize risk.

Key actions:

• Implement a controlled rollout strategy with contingency plans.
• Monitor real-time information exchange and system performance.
• Communicate changes clearly with end-users and support teams.

Step 11. Monitor and optimize continuously

Continuous monitoring ensures that the integration remains efficient, reliable, and compliant. Track data flow, error rates, and performance metrics while implementing proactive updates to align with technological and regulatory changes.

Key actions:

• Conduct regular system audits and performance reviews.
• Establish a feedback loop between IT and clinical teams.
• Implement updates, optimizations, and scalability improvements as needed.

Step 12. Document and train your team

Maintain comprehensive documentation of the stages of HL7 implementation process. Include system configurations, troubleshooting guides, and compliance documentation. Train technical and operational teams to manage and optimize the integration over time.

Key actions:

• Develop detailed manuals and user training materials.
• Conduct regular training sessions and refreshers.
• Maintain compliance documentation for regulatory audits.

Key Challenges of HL7 Integration

HL7 integration improves healthcare interoperability but comes with significant challenges. Overlooking these obstacles can result in costly delays, compliance issues, and performance bottlenecks. Addressing them is key to a successful and secure integration. Below are some of the most common HL7 integration challenges and practical solutions to mitigate them.

Compatibility issues between legacy and modern systems

Challenge:

Many healthcare organizations still rely on legacy systems that were not designed for modern HL7 standards. These systems often use outdated protocols, proprietary formats, or non-standardized data structures, which makes integration with cloud-based EHRs, mobile applications, and AI-driven analytics platforms difficult.

Solution:

• Deploy middleware solutions or interface engines to translate HL7 messages between incompatible systems.
• Implement data mapping and transformation tools to standardize formats across old and new systems.
• If feasible, plan a phased replacement strategy for outdated infrastructure, prioritizing components that pose the greatest integration challenges.

Skills and knowledge gaps

Challenge:

HL7 integration requires expertise in healthcare workflows, HL7 messaging protocols (V2, V3, FHIR), data security, and system architecture. Many IT teams lack specialized HL7 knowledge, which can lead to configuration errors, implementation delays, and security risks.

Solution:

• Provide formal HL7 training and certifications for IT and clinical staff.
• Partner with HL7 integration specialists or vendors to supplement in-house expertise.
• Establish cross-functional teams, including clinical informaticists, developers, and system architects, to bridge the knowledge gap.

Integrating diverse data sources

Challenge:

Medical data originates from multiple sources, like EHRs, laboratory systems, imaging platforms, wearable devices, and mobile health apps. Each source uses different data formats and communication standards. Inconsistent data structures lead to errors, duplication, and interoperability issues.

Solution:

• Standardize data at the point of entry using HL7 CDA, CCD, and FHIR frameworks.
• Implement real-time data normalization and transformation to unify different formats.
• Use cloud-based integration platforms that support diverse healthcare standards and scalable data processing.

Data security and regulatory compliance

Challenge:

HL7 messages often contain sensitive patient health data, which makes security breaches and non-compliance with regulations a major risk. Poorly secured integrations can expose vulnerabilities such as unauthorized access, data tampering, or improper data handling.

Solution:

• Enforce end-to-end encryption (TLS/SSL) to protect HL7 messages in transit.
• Implement role-based access control (RBAC) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to restrict data access.
• Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
• Stay compliant with regulatory frameworks by implementing audit trails and logging mechanisms for tracking data access and modifications.

Performance and scalability under high data volumes

Challenge:

Medical data volume is growing every year, which is why integration solutions must handle large-scale, real-time data transactions efficiently. Systems that fail to scale can experience delays in processing, dropped messages, and overall system slowdowns. All these negatively impact clinical workflows and patient care.

Solution:

• Use cloud-based infrastructure and load-balancing techniques to scale resources as needed dynamically.
• Implement high-throughput message brokers to manage HL7 message queues efficiently.
• Optimize database indexing and caching for high-speed data retrieval.
• Continuously monitor system performance and response times with real-time analytics dashboards.

Customization VS standardization

Challenge:

HL7 provides standardized messaging frameworks, but every healthcare organization has unique workflows, data structures, and reporting needs. Over-customization can create compatibility issues, increase maintenance costs, and make upgrades difficult. On the other hand, excessive standardization might not fully meet an organization’s needs.

Solution:

• Maintain a balance between HL7 standardization and necessary customizations by conducting a thorough requirements analysis before integration.
• Use HL7 implementation guides to adhere to best practices while allowing for localized configurations.
• Document all customizations in detail to ensure seamless future updates and troubleshooting.

Integration with multiple vendors and systems

Challenge:

Most healthcare environments rely on multiple vendors for EHRs, lab systems, billing platforms, and imaging solutions. Differences in vendor-specific HL7 implementations can lead to inconsistent data exchange, incomplete electronic medical records, and vendor lock-in risks.

Solution:

• Establish clear HL7 integration protocols and data governance policies across all vendors.
• Choose vendors that strictly follow HL7 compliance guidelines to improve interoperability.
• Deploy API-based integration layers to facilitate seamless communication between multiple vendor platforms.

Real-time data exchange and latency issues

Challenge:

In emergency and critical care settings, real-time data exchange is crucial. Delays in HL7 message processing, network latency, or server bottlenecks can impact clinical decisions and patient outcomes.

Solution:

• Use low-latency communication protocols and optimize network infrastructure to minimize transmission delays.
• Implement real-time data streaming solutions instead of batch processing for urgent clinical updates.
• Design failover mechanisms and redundancy strategies to ensure continuous information exchange, even during high-traffic periods.
• Conduct stress testing and load simulations to assess system performance under peak conditions.

Difference Between API and HL7

For CTOs, healthcare providers, and technology leaders, it is essential to understand how HL7 differs from traditional APIs (Application Programming Interface). Both are crucial for data exchange, but they serve distinct purposes and operate under different paradigms.

Simply put, the key difference between API and HL7 is:

• HL7 is a healthcare messaging standard that defines how medical data is structured and exchanged between systems (e.g., EHRs, labs, pharmacies).
• API is a method for software applications to communicate and enable real-time information exchange, often using modern protocols like REST and JSON.

In short:

• HL7 defines what data is shared, while APIs define how it is shared.
• HL7 FHIR is a modern HL7 standard that uses APIs for fast, real-time medical data exchange.

Here is also a detailed exploration of the differences between API and HL7:

Protocol vs. domain-specific standard

APIs are general-purpose tools that allow different software applications to communicate. They define a set of rules, protocols, and tools for building software applications and facilitate information exchange in a flexible, generic manner. APIs can be found in virtually every industry, as they serve diverse use cases, from web development to mobile applications.

HL7, in contrast, is a set of domain-specific standards developed exclusively for sensitive medical data. While modern HL7 standards like FHIR do employ API-based communication, the overall HL7 framework is tailored to meet the strict demands of healthcare. It is specifically designed to handle the complexity, sensitivity, and compliance requirements associated with patient information.

Flexibility vs. specialization

APIs are versatile. They can be designed to handle a wide range of data formats and protocols, which makes them suitable for applications across multiple industries. This flexibility allows for rapid development and integration in environments where data standards may vary.

HL7 standards, however, are highly specialized. They incorporate clinical terminologies, standardized coding systems, and regulatory requirements to ensure that sensitive medical data is exchanged with precision and clarity. This specialization makes HL7 indispensable in healthcare, where the integrity and context of patient information are essential.

Implementation complexity

Modern APIs, especially RESTful APIs, are generally straightforward to implement using common web technologies such as JSON, XML, and HTTP. This ease of use translates into shorter development cycles and quicker deployments.

In contrast, HL7 integration, due to its specialized nature, often requires a deeper understanding of both healthcare processes and technical intricacies. While HL7 FHIR has made significant strides in simplifying integration through its use of modern API concepts, legacy HL7 versions (like V2 and V3) may involve a steeper learning curve and more complex implementations.

Scalability and adaptability

APIs are inherently scalable and are built to support the dynamic needs of modern digital applications. They are well-suited for cloud-based environments and enable medical organizations to scale operations quickly as demand increases.

HL7 is also evolving to meet the scalability challenges of contemporary healthcare. With the introduction of FHIR, HL7 integration now benefits from modern, cloud-friendly architectures that can handle large volumes of data while ensuring compliance and security. This adaptability makes HL7 an essential component in the digital transformation of healthcare.

How TechMagic Can Transform Your HL7 Integration Journey

HL7 integration is a strategic move to enhance patient care, interoperability, and operational efficiency. As a leading custom healthcare software development company, TechMagic delivers HL7 integration solutions that ensure smooth and secure information exchange, compliance, and scalability.

With 10+ years of experience, 200+ clients, and 350+ certified experts, we specialize in custom healthcare software, cloud-based solutions, software integrations, IT consulting, and cybersecurity. Our 92%+ client NPS proves that we deliver only the best solutions.

Comprehensive HL7 integration solutions

At TechMagic, we assess your IT infrastructure, system architecture, and interoperability needs to ensure seamless integration of HL7 V2, V3, CDA, CCD, and FHIR.

TechMagic manages the entire integration lifecycle and provides continuous monitoring, proactive maintenance, and real-time performance optimization to keep your systems secure, scalable, and aligned with industry standards. We modernize legacy systems, enable real-time exchange of data via HL7 FHIR APIs, and build cloud-ready healthcare infrastructures.

Summing Up

HL7 integration is a strategic must-have for modern healthcare organizations that want to ensure secure data exchange, interoperability, and enhanced patient care. With the information given in this article, HL7 integration must have become more transparent and clear. If you still have questions or need support, contact us, and experts at TechMagic will be glad to provide your organization with professional help.

FAQs

1. What is HL7 integration?

   HL7 integration enables seamless data exchange between healthcare systems, such as EHRs, lab systems, and billing platforms, ensuring standardized and interoperable communication using HL7 interface messaging protocols.

2. What is HL7 in healthcare? What does HL7 stand for?

   HL7 (Health Level Seven) is a set of international standards that define how healthcare information is exchanged, integrated, and retrieved between different healthcare systems.

3. What is HL7 interface?

   An HL7 interface is a communication bridge that enables healthcare systems to exchange patient information seamlessly using HL7 messaging standards.

4. What is the difference between API and HL7?

   HL7 is a standard that defines the structure of medical data exchange, while an API (Application Programming Interface) is a method used to transmit that data, often leveraging HL7 FHIR for modern, real-time interoperability.