HL7
HL7, short for Health Level Seven, is a set of international standards for the exchange, integration, sharing, and retrieval of electronic health information. Developed by the HL7 International organization – an ANSI-accredited, not-for-profit standards body – these specifications enable Interoperability between diverse healthcare systems.
By defining how data is structured and exchanged, Health Level Seven ensures that different healthcare software systems can work together efficiently and accurately. This leads to more connected care, fewer errors, and better outcomes for patients.
Why HL7 matters
Healthcare systems often use different technologies and vendors, which can create barriers to effective Data Exchange. HL7 standards address this challenge by providing a common language and framework for sharing:
- clinical information
- administrative data
- billing and financial records
- laboratory and imaging results
- prescriptions and medication histories
This standardization supports consistency, reduces duplication, and improves communication between providers.
Key HL7 standards
Health Level Seven includes several major standards that serve different aspects of healthcare Data Exchange:
- HL7 Version 2.x – a widely adopted messaging standard used for real-time communication between systems such as EHRs, labs, and pharmacies
- HL7 CDA (Clinical Document Architecture) – a standard for structuring and exchanging clinical documents, such as discharge summaries and progress notes
- HL7 FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) – a modern, web-based standard that uses APIs and supports rAPId integration across platforms
Each standard helps organizations move toward seamless Interoperability/">Data Interoperability in unique ways.
Use and adoption
Health Level Seven standards are implemented by:
- healthcare providers and hospitals
- insurance payers and billing systems
- public health agencies
- software vendors
- research institutions
Their widespread adoption ensures that patient information can follow individuals across different care settings – from primary care to specialists, hospitals, and community programs.
Interoperability-and-patient-care">Interoperability and patient care
The ultimate goal of Health Level Seven is to support better care through more connected systems. By enabling the secure, accurate, and efficient exchange of data, HL7 helps healthcare teams:
- access complete patient histories
- reduce administrative burden
- avoid medical errors
- make timely and informed decisions
Adopting HL7 is a critical step toward achieving healthcare Interoperability at scale. It creates a unified digital ecosystem where systems can communicate – and where patients benefit from safer, more coordinated care.