If you work in healthcare or health tech, you’ve probably heard the term HL7 thrown around. But what is HL7, really? And why does HL7 integration matter?
Here’s a simple, no-jargon guide to help you understand the basics of HL7, the HL7 protocol, and how HL7 integration keeps healthcare systems connected and working smoothly.
What is HL7?
HL7 stands for Health Level Seven. It’s a set of international standards for sharing health information between different healthcare systems. These standards are developed by an organization called Health Level Seven International.
In plain terms: HL7 helps different healthcare software systems talk to each other.
For example, when a patient’s lab results are sent from a lab system to their electronic health record (EHR), HL7 standards help structure and deliver that information so it can be understood and processed correctly.
Why HL7 Exists
Healthcare is full of specialized systems: EHRs, lab systems, radiology, billing, scheduling, and more. These systems are often built by different vendors and don’t naturally communicate well with each other.
HL7 provides a common language and structure to make sure data can be exchanged accurately and efficiently.
Without HL7, hospitals and clinics would have to rely on manual data entry, custom workarounds, or file transfers—slow, error-prone, and risky.
What is HL7 Integration?
HL7 integration is the process of connecting healthcare systems using HL7 standards so they can share data in real time.
Think of it as building a bridge between two systems—like connecting a lab system and an EHR—so they can exchange messages (like test results or patient records) automatically.
This integration can involve:
- Setting up message formats (like ADT, ORM, ORU)
- Mapping data fields from one system to another
- Using middleware (integration engines) to route, transform, and validate messages
- Monitoring and troubleshooting message flow
What is the HL7 Protocol?
The HL7 protocol is the technical part of HL7. It defines:
- Message structure (segments, fields, delimiters)
- Types of messages (e.g., ADT for patient admissions, ORU for observations/results)
- Transport methods (how the messages are sent)
Most HL7 messages are sent in plain text, with a specific format that systems recognize. A simple HL7 message might look like a long string of codes and separators—but behind it is structured data that tells a system exactly what happened and to whom.
Common HL7 Standards
HL7 isn’t just one standard—it’s a family of them. The most commonly used are:
- HL7 v2.x – The most widely adopted. Used for real-time messaging between hospital systems.
- HL7 v3 – A more complex version that uses XML. Less common in practice.
- FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) – A newer standard that uses modern web technologies (like REST APIs and JSON). Designed to be easier to implement, especially for mobile and cloud apps.
Real-World Example of HL7 Integration
Let’s say a patient is admitted to the hospital. The admission system sends an ADT (Admit, Discharge, Transfer) message using the HL7 protocol to the EHR.
Later, a lab result is generated and sent as an ORU (Observation Result) message. The EHR receives it, matches it to the patient’s record, and alerts the doctor.
All of that happens behind the scenes, thanks to HL7 integration.
Why HL7 Integration Matters
Without HL7, healthcare data would be siloed in disconnected systems. HL7 integration:
- Speeds up care delivery
- Reduces manual errors
- Helps healthcare providers make faster, better-informed decisions
- Keeps systems compliant with health data standards
In short, it’s the glue that holds modern healthcare IT together.
Final Thoughts
If you’re just starting out in health tech or working with healthcare data, understanding HL7 is key. HL7 integration is what makes real-time communication between medical systems possible. While the HL7 protocol may seem technical, its purpose is straightforward: to make health information flow seamlessly across systems.
Whether you’re a developer, IT admin, or health professional, learning how HL7 standards work will help you navigate the digital side of healthcare with more confidence.
Want help with HL7 implementation, or need to break down specific message types? Let me know, and I’ll explain those next.
