Implementation FAQ

There are a considerable number of implementations of HL7 version 3 based on Developemnt Editions or Normative Editions (e.g. 2005). This document aims to describe the most important lessons learned from these early implementations, as well as some of the frequently aksed questions related to the implementation of HL7 version 3.

As with all FAQs some of the questions or responses may sound "obvious" to you; this may not necessarily be true for other implementers.

The current question/issue has been organized into a number of categories, mainly in order to limit the size of the individual pages:

• Implementer organization
• Interface Development
• Framework Issues (national/regional infrastructures)
• Migration from version 2

The remainder of this page contains a number of new questions/issues that have not been moved to one of the above pages yet.

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Source and target systems lack rich semantics

Black and white TV to HDTV to black and white

cost benefit ratio - startup costs are very high

Have a running system using V2, how do I justify moving to V3, esp as V2 just keeps getting better.

version 3 documentation not as easy to use as V2 documents

In v2.3.1 as a PDF -- one big document and using the find button is a great way to find what you want. This is particularly good as a single document.

It would seem the implementers need to press Pubs/tooling somewhat harder to get a search option in the standard publication. This has been discussed before as far as I know, but the timing of such a sloution is unclear. Rene spronk 12:46, 21 May 2006 (CDT)

information overload

How much information has to be shared with a trading partner. If the trading partner is V3 knowledgeable is it easier to do.

learning curve

Implementers have to understand the RIM classes and attributes

fill the blanks transforms

V3 startup for implementers can be done by creating “fill the blanks” transforms.

This is very pragmatic. I'm not aware that this approach is being addressed in any of the implementation oriented Tutorial. It probably needs to be discussed, as quick-and-dirty implementation methods tend to be used more than theoretically flawless implementations... Rene spronk 12:59, 21 May 2006 (CDT)

V2 implementation profiles are easy to read

It is

What does this mean for v3 implementations? We just have to make sure v3 implementation guides are easy to read. Rene spronk 12:49, 21 May 2006 (CDT)

get some example implementation guides on the wiki

Good idea, the only ones I have on offer are however in Dutch. The use of a realm-specific language is one of the key features of an implementation guide. Rene spronk 12:57, 21 May 2006 (CDT)

how to write an implementation guide

• Added technical guide
• Added conformance profile guide
• Added wrapper documentation