What is HL7?

HL7 (Health Level Seven) is a set of international interface standards designed to guide the collection, transmission, and utilization of patient medical information. HL7 is backed by a non-profit organization and has designed a comprehensive framework for transmitting data, which continues to improve as the capabilities of health IT advances.

Currently, over 1,600 members support the HL7 initiative, representing a total of 50 countries and more than 500 healthcare providers, consultants, vendors, and government stakeholders. The widespread adoption of HL7 demonstrates that the healthcare industry recognizes the need for standardized processes for the sake of patients and productivity. 

Benefits of Health Level Seven International (HL7)

By adopting the HL7 standards at scale, institutions can expect a higher quality of patient care, more accurate diagnoses, and more productive workflows for healthcare providers.

Better Utilize Patient Data

One of the primary points of focus with HL7 standards is to improve how electronic health records (EHR) and practice management (PM) systems are updated, stored, and utilized by healthcare providers. By digitizing these records, access to vital patient information is greatly improved. EHRs allow providers to have direct, consistent, and complete access to the patient's most recent health records. 

By placing EHRs front-and-center during routine visits and emergency scenarios, all healthcare providers working on a patient's case have instant and complete insight into that patient's medical history, medications, and recent visits. As a result, care can be delivered faster and more appropriately, even if a patient is checking into an institution for the first time. 

Improve Clinical Efficiency

Aside from improving the quality of care, making patient EHRs central to the healthcare process can improve clinical efficiency. It starts at the time of admission as a healthcare institution can request a patient's records in advance (if they made an appointment) or immediately upon their arrival. By transferring these records over, patients are not required to fill out redundant admissions forms and repeat their medical histories.

From that point forward, healthcare providers will have instant access to relevant records and test results from other institutions and providers that the patient has recently seen. This helps clinics avoid requesting redundant tests or pursuing prescriptions that the patient has already tried or cannot take due to other medications on their records.

How TempDev Can Help With HL7

TempDev’s team of experienced consultants, developers, and trainers are here to support enhanced accessibility, as well as customized features and templates. This enables you and your patients to have more control over data with improved transparency. 

As part of our streamlining process, we help you implement the Patient Portal, API, and other tools to better support safety, patient engagement, and security. We also help improve interoperability between health systems, including the implementation of best practices with HL7 interfaces. From dashboards to automation and workflow redesign, TempDev offers the comprehensive resources and tools you need to ensure compliance. 

Contact us here or by calling us at 888.TEMP.DEV to build your next HL7 interface with hospitals and other vendors.