The Health Level Seven (HL7) standard was developed for the health care industry to allow data to be transferred from one system to another, using a standard protocol with which both systems can map information. A protocol is a well-defined formal standard used to exchange information between computer programs.
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HL7 helps to manage electronic health records using health care information systems. It can specify how data exchange between applications will work, without specifying how the application will address the data.
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HL7 is message-oriented. For example, an application event triggers a message to other applications rather than serving a request.
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HL7 is designed to be flexible and cost-effective, yet adhere to sound ANSI approved protocol specifications that enable health care professionals to exchange, integrate, store, and retrieve data for current and future systems.
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The HL7 standard is an international standard.
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HL7 also provides the ability to create event driven protocols, such as the admission or release of a patient.