7 Implementation Tips to be implemented in HL7 PMI
HL7 solutions are widely used by healthcare domains for serving their IT needs and to meet their challenges successfully. It is a health data communication standard which has different versions. Its V2 version covers the exchange of patient demographics (also known as Patient Master Index or HL7). Further it also covers other types of data like scheduling, orders, results and admission details etc. Considering all these we must also note some implementation tips in HL7 PMI while opting of healthcare software development.
1. HL7 Interfaces are not plug and play
Sad but true. It is unlike other common technologies that are used today and it is not plug and play due to its interpretation in different ways by implementers and software developers. Outcome of both is similar but does not match exactly in interfaces which require analysis in order to identify the differences.
2. Translation of HL7 messages
While HL7 software development once the differences are identified, the messages can be modified from one application needs before their processing by the other one. Seeing at some translations they can be simple by moving a particular field from one place in message to another one. Commonly fields that need to be moved based on business rules. Specialist software called interface engines is quite good for doing this job.
3.Code table mismatching
HL7 messages contain coded data. National standards have tried a lot for addressing this issue. The odds are the one or more fields in the PMI message that needs to be mapped. Interface engines can help out in this manner.
4.HL7 PID Identifier List
There are three fields that are dedicated to identifiers by the patient identification segment. PID-2 Patient ID (external ID), PID-3 Patient ID (internal ID) and PID-4 Alternative Patient ID. The recommended use of these fields has changed with successive revisions of HL7 ( HL7 V2.1, HL7 V2.2, HL7 V2.3, HL7 V2.3.1, HL7 V2.4). Interpretation of these fields is done differently by different vendors. Mostly all put the patient's medical record number in PID-3.
In case of scope for interface is more than a hospital then MRN for one facility can be distinguished from MRNs for other facilities with a facility code which needs mapping. Seeing it another way, the sending system handles more hospitals but receiving system only need to know about patients from just one facility. For filtering, routing and translating of messages interface engines are good to make it possible.
5.Repeating fields
Those fields which repeat like the address filed can cause problems.
6.Repeating segments
Those segments that repeat such as €Next of Kin' (NK1) and alerts/allergies (AL1/IAM) pose similar challenges to repeating fields.
7.Shared fields
When the sending system is modified in the receiving system it is not unusual when at this time fields are interfaced. But if the receiving system is not interfaced then all the information needs to be duplicated manually. Unless edition of data fields' capability covered by the interface is removed from receiving system and changes made to the data by users. Persistent and diligent interface analysis helps to overcome these and other challenges. HL7 PMI interfacing is one of the most common and best understood health application interfacing challenges. The above tips help to make a good start.
1. HL7 Interfaces are not plug and play
Sad but true. It is unlike other common technologies that are used today and it is not plug and play due to its interpretation in different ways by implementers and software developers. Outcome of both is similar but does not match exactly in interfaces which require analysis in order to identify the differences.
2. Translation of HL7 messages
While HL7 software development once the differences are identified, the messages can be modified from one application needs before their processing by the other one. Seeing at some translations they can be simple by moving a particular field from one place in message to another one. Commonly fields that need to be moved based on business rules. Specialist software called interface engines is quite good for doing this job.
3.Code table mismatching
HL7 messages contain coded data. National standards have tried a lot for addressing this issue. The odds are the one or more fields in the PMI message that needs to be mapped. Interface engines can help out in this manner.
4.HL7 PID Identifier List
There are three fields that are dedicated to identifiers by the patient identification segment. PID-2 Patient ID (external ID), PID-3 Patient ID (internal ID) and PID-4 Alternative Patient ID. The recommended use of these fields has changed with successive revisions of HL7 ( HL7 V2.1, HL7 V2.2, HL7 V2.3, HL7 V2.3.1, HL7 V2.4). Interpretation of these fields is done differently by different vendors. Mostly all put the patient's medical record number in PID-3.
In case of scope for interface is more than a hospital then MRN for one facility can be distinguished from MRNs for other facilities with a facility code which needs mapping. Seeing it another way, the sending system handles more hospitals but receiving system only need to know about patients from just one facility. For filtering, routing and translating of messages interface engines are good to make it possible.
5.Repeating fields
Those fields which repeat like the address filed can cause problems.
6.Repeating segments
Those segments that repeat such as €Next of Kin' (NK1) and alerts/allergies (AL1/IAM) pose similar challenges to repeating fields.
7.Shared fields
When the sending system is modified in the receiving system it is not unusual when at this time fields are interfaced. But if the receiving system is not interfaced then all the information needs to be duplicated manually. Unless edition of data fields' capability covered by the interface is removed from receiving system and changes made to the data by users. Persistent and diligent interface analysis helps to overcome these and other challenges. HL7 PMI interfacing is one of the most common and best understood health application interfacing challenges. The above tips help to make a good start.
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