A technical standard by HL7 International for health information exchange, Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) is designed for a wide range of settings and different health care information systems. It defines data formats and elements (known as "resources") and an API (application programming interface) for exchanging electronic health records (EHR). FHIR builds on previous data format standards from HL7, like HL7 version 2.x and HL7 version 3.x. But it is easier to implement because it uses a modern web-based suite of API technology, including a REST protocol, and a choice of JSON, XML or RDF for data representation. One of its goals is to facilitate interoperability between legacy health care systems, to make it easier to provide health care information to health care providers and individuals on a wide variety of devices.
Modular Design
FHIR’s modular design allows for flexible implementation. Each resource represents a specific piece of clinical or administrative information, such as a patient, a medication, or a lab result. This modularity enables healthcare applications, EHR systems, and mobile apps to communicate in real time, improving interoperability and patient access to health information.
Key Features
- RESTful APIs: FHIR uses RESTful APIs to enable faster, simpler, and more flexible data exchange than older standards.
- Data Representation: It supports multiple data formats, including JSON, XML, and RDF, making it adaptable to various systems.
- Interoperability: FHIR facilitates interoperability between legacy health care systems, ensuring seamless data exchange across different platforms and vendors.
Adoption and Impact
FHIR has been widely adopted in the U.S. and internationally. It underpins national interoperability initiatives such as TEFCA and patient data access rules enforced by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Its open framework makes it central to the evolution of connected, patient-centered healthcare systems.
