This quick, no-jargon guide explains what HL7 and FHIR are, how they support healthcare data exchange, and why modern healthcare systems rely on them.
Why HL7 and FHIR Matter in Healthcare #
If you work in healthcare technology — even if you’re not a developer — you’ve probably come across terms like HL7 and FHIR. These are the languages that healthcare systems use to exchange data with each other.
Whether you’re managing a clinic, evaluating software, or ensuring compliance, understanding the basics of these standards helps you make better decisions about your IT systems and interoperability goals.
What Is HL7? #
HL7 (Health Level Seven) is a set of messaging standards developed in the 1980s to help different healthcare systems format and share patient information. Healthcare organizations still widely use it to transmit clinical and administrative data between systems such as:
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
- Lab systems
- Billing platforms
- Medical devices
HL7 messages use custom, pipe-delimited text formats. While powerful, they can be rigid and require significant configuration to implement and maintain.
Think of HL7 as a standardized form that allows two clinics with different systems to share and understand each other’s data.
What Is FHIR (Pronounced “Fire”)? #
FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) is the modern evolution of HL7, created for today’s web and app-based ecosystem. Developed by HL7.org, FHIR uses common internet data formats like JSON and XML, and operates via RESTful APIs — the same kind of technology behind banking apps, online shopping, and cloud services.
FHIR was designed to be easier for developers to implement, more flexible, and better suited for mobile, cloud-based, and real-time healthcare applications.
Think of FHIR as a faster, smarter way to share healthcare data — one that’s better aligned with modern technologies and user expectations.
Key Differences Between HL7 and FHIR #
| Feature | HL7 v2 | FHIR |
| Age | Introduced in the 1980s | Introduced in the 2010s |
| Format | Custom text (pipe-delimited) | Web-friendly (JSON, XML) |
| Technology | Messaging-based | API-based |
| Ease of Use | Complex, rigid | Lightweight, easier to implement |
| Best for | Legacy system communication | Modern apps, mobile tools, analytics |
Importance Of HL7 And FHIR Standards #
Both HL7 and FHIR play a critical role in healthcare interoperability. They enable healthcare systems, applications, and medical devices to:
- Share patient data securely
- Reduce duplicate tests
- Eliminate manual data entry
- Improve data quality and decision-making
- Support real-time updates across connected systems
Whether you’re integrating a new device, onboarding a vendor, or building a custom workflow, using HL7 or FHIR — or both — ensures that data can move efficiently and safely.
Real-World Example #
Imagine a dialysis machine that captures detailed session data. That data needs to be sent to the hospital’s EHR:
- With HL7, the machine sends structured messages at the end of each session
- With FHIR, the data can be pushed via API in real time, using modern web technologies
In either case, the data ends up in the patient’s record — and HL7 or FHIR makes that possible.
Summary #
HL7 and FHIR are two powerful standards that allow healthcare systems and devices to exchange information. HL7 is the long-established backbone of data exchange, while FHIR is the future-facing, developer-friendly standard gaining momentum across the industry.
Even if you’re not technical, understanding the difference helps you make more informed decisions when planning integrations, selecting vendors, or improving your organization’s interoperability strategy.
Need Help Navigating HL7, FHIR, or Integration Strategy? #
Our team works with both standards and can simplify the process — whether you’re just getting started or scaling to multiple systems and sites.
Email us at sales@bmrtw.com
Visit www.bmrtw.com for more information or to request a consultation.
