HL7 is a standard for exchanging health-related information between medical applications through messages. An HL7 message consists of segments in a defined sequence that can be optional, required, or repeatable. Common segments include MSH for the message header, PID for patient identification, and PV1 for patient visit information. Delimiters like pipes, carets, and backslashes are used to separate the different components within a message.

2. WHAT IS HL7
HL7, which is an abbreviation of Health Level
Seven, is a standard for exchanging information
between medical applications. This standard
defines a format for the transmission of healthrelated information.
Examples of HL7 messages include patient
records, laboratory records and billing
information.

3. WHAT IS AN HL7 MESSAGE
An HL7 message consists of a group of
segments in a defined sequence, with these
segments (or groups of segments) being
optional, required, and/or repeatable.
• Message Type
• Trigger Event
Example: ADT-A01

4. SEGMENTS
Message Header (MSH):
Segment which contains the message type, version and other
important information.
PID:
Patient Identification data
PV1: Patient Visit
IN1: Insurance Segment
AL1: Allergy information
DG1: Diagnosis information

5. MESSAGE DELIMITERS
The MSH also defines the delimiters used in the message.
• |: Segment delimiter
• ^: Component separator
• ~: Repetition separator
• : Escape character
• &: Sub-component separator

6. EXAMPLE

8. SOME STANDARDS USED FOR COMMUNICATION
IN HEALTHCARE
•
Accredited Standards Committee X12 — ASC-X12
•
American Dental Association — ADA o ADA Joint Project
Statement
•
American Society for Testing Materials — ASTM
•
CEN/TC 251
•
Digital Imaging and Communication In Medicine — DICOM
•
eHealth
•
Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers — IEEE
•
Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise — IHE
•
National Council for Prescription Drug Program — NCPDP

9. Image Courtesy: www.vascularbilling.com
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10. COMPLETE WORKFLOW FROM PATIENT VISIT TO
PROCESSING CLAIMS
HL7 Communication
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