Decoding the HL7 (Health Level 7) for healthcare

Laying down the grounds

Technology is running up and around the globe, transforming industries and changing the dimensions. These new implications of technology make a sturdy change in the various segments of society, solving long-term problems.

One such technical implication can be observed in the healthcare industry. Here, with advanced technology and the need generated, this segment’s dynamics are being transformed from top to bottom to provide patients with an enhanced care system.

The entire healthcare system is running on certain set standards and regulations. These criteria and standards allow an even and seamless flow of information throughout. There are various anomalies when it comes to healthcare and variable data which makes it difficult to transcribe the information.

Any healthcare system or for that matter any industry requires a proper communication channel to define what is happening in the system. For clear and concise information transmission, having an open channel for transferring data is required.

What are the standards in healthcare?

The pandemic-ridden system struggled with effective and easy data transfer, have the advanced techs been adopted, this could have been avoided. It’s not that before covid no other standards existed in the system the pandemic only emphasized the importance of these standards being implemented. Some of the major health standards in the healthcare industry are categorized into four main categories:

Transport standards- FHIR, DICOM, CDISC, etc.
Content standards- HL7 v2 & v3, C-CDA, USCDI, etc.
Security standards- HIPPA, GDPA
Terminology standards- ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS, NDC, etc.

Understanding HL7

Health Level 7 or HL7 is a set of international standards for defining the criteria to share and transfer medical data among different healthcare entities. It has transformed the scenario of data sharing in the medical industry and has converted it into a sophisticated, easily transcribable, and universal format for all healthcare professionals to interpret globally.

But why do we need a global standard? Yes, that’s an obvious and genuine question, however, the answer is also a bit obvious.

If there is a certain set standard that is understandable by all medical professionals globally, it becomes convenient to read the medical records of any patient. Comparative to each medical professional defining the data as per their understanding.

Common HL standards being implemented are listed as follows:

HL7 V2
HL7 V3
HL7 CDA (Clinical and Administrative Domain)
HL7 CCD (Continuity Care Document)
HL7 EHR (Electronic Health Records)
HL7 FHIR (Fast Health Interoperable Resources)

Benefits of HL7

Although listing the benefits of HL7 cannot be limited to listing a few points as the impact it has had on the healthcare industry is significant. Some of the major benefits are as follows:

Data uniformity
Standardization
Enhanced patient care
Easy data transfer
Better medical decisions
Convenient record keeping

HL7- a new face for healthcare

Implementation of standards like HL7 has a greater impact on the healthcare provided to the patients. This enables medical professionals to connect on a global level to share data and interpret the information for an enhanced medical decision which is eventually for the benefit of the patients.

HL7 makes it possible as it has made it a set standard and whatever medical records are being transferred in the healthcare are following the HL7 standards. This provides a uniform platform for healthcare professionals to get a better understanding of patients’ records and can form an informed decision.

Further, it is easy for a patient to get a second opinion from a different doctor as all records are in a universal form, and its interpretation becomes effortless.

Certain tech giants are providing this enhanced healthcare to patients with modern-day technology involved and following API integrations.

How Rialtes fits in the picture?

Salesforce is a leader in CRM services and is offering Salesforce implementation services. along with its Salesforce consulting companies. Among these Rialtes is a certified Salesforce partner offering Salesforce implementation services.

These implementation services are allowing Salesforce Healthcare Consultants to work on these standards integrating with API integrations and making the healthcare system redefined. This enables healthcare institutions to have a restructured system for better medical data records

The final nail

The healthcare industry has been transforming with every advanced technology being integrated into the system. Having a certain fixed standard, however, brings much-needed stability to the complete sector which makes it universal and convenient for healthcare professionals to offer patient-centric, enhanced care experience.

This is being backed up by technology leaders such as Salesforce and Rialtes, both working toward a common goal of elevating the overall patient journey and allowing them to experience better services.