Product Training Program Unit 6 – HL7

HL7 Transformation Module

The HL7 Transformation Module The HL7 Transformer is a PilotFish automated Transformation Module that converts HL7 flat files into an XML representation of the HL7 flat file. It can also convert the XML representation of HL7 back into the flat file format as well. PilotFish uses XML schemas produced by the HL7 organization to build the XML representation of HL7. The Transformer is a lenient HL7 parser, meaning that custom Z-segments, and general deviations from the HL7 spec, can still be safely and reliably converted into XML. On the source side, the Transformer converts flat file HL7 into XML. On the target side, the transformer converts XML into flat file HL7. PilotFish has two HL7 Transformers, the recommended one is the HL7v2.xTransformer

HL7 Format Builder

The HL7 Format Builder In the Data Mapper, Format Builders that correspond with Transformation Modules are designed to produce XML formats that match what the Transformer expects to be either producing or receiving. In order to do this, the Format Builder must be configured with the same kinds of custom options at the Transformer. For example, the HL7 versions must match. By default, the Format Builder creates a format for the entire HL7 spec for the selected version. This can be cumbersome to work with. To narrow it down, options are provided to either select a specific HL7 message type, or to provide a sample file to indicate which piece of the spec is needed.

Friendly Names To help with HL7, PilotFish provides a “Friendly Names” feature, that can be applied to the Transformer and the Format Builder. Friendly Names adds a descriptive name to each HL7 field and component in its XML form, making it easier for folks who don’t have the HL7 spec memorized. Because using Friendly Names changes the XML schema, it is very important that its use is consistent between the Transformer and Format Builder, or else inconsistent results will happen. Friendly Names also significantly increases the size of the XML produced by the HL7 Transformer, so it is recommended for early, exploratory work, and not for the final production interface. The Data Mapper has an option to turn on a Friendly Names Overlay. This makes the graphical part of the Data Mapper display the Friendly Names, while the actual XML built uses the standard element names.