1. The Open Health Data API Rik Smithies – rik@nprogram.co.uk
HL7 FHIR
The Open Health Data API Rik Smithies –

2. FHIR in one slide Fast Healthcare Interoperable Resources
New free and open healthcare data API
Builds on simplicity of HL7 V2
With modern (web) standards
XML, JSON, HTTP, REST, UML
Familiar to new generation of developers
Easy to implement the basics
Getting rapid take up

3. a set of XML health data resources,
FHIR in one bullet
FHIR is:
a set of XML health data resources,
plus a REST API for accessing them.
REST is the name for accessing data via basic HTTP read/write/update operations
Amazon, Facebook, Twitter…

4. This is what a FHIR Patient resource looks like in XML

5. https://server.nhs.org/Patient/1
REST: URL based API
Use REST to get patient #1 from a FHIR server
Search is also via URL
resource type
secure http
endpoint
identifier

6. Step back - why FHIR? HL7 V3 works, but is too hard
CDA documents aren’t enough for all use cases
HL7 V2 needs a transition path
New markets, new questions
Web, mobile, cloud
“How can I get data from my server to my iPhone app?”
“How do I connect my applications using cloud storage?”

7. Freely available Free as in beer (gratis) and as in speech (freedom)
If you are looking for the simple free open health API, this is it

8. hl7.org/fhir
(FHIR home)

9. Principles:keep it simple
You should be able to “figure it out” over a weekend
80/20 Rule – if it isn’t used in 80% of current systems, it isn’t in. Common scenarios (but with extension mechanisms)
Implementer focussed - everything in FHIR was implemented before it went into the specification
FHIR is interoperability for people who have other things to do

10. FHIR Now DSTU publication in Jan 2014 Started July 2011
“Draft Standard For Trial Use” – ANSI rules
It’s ready to use. We all gain experience, may lead to some changes.
NHS HSCIC using as basis for E-Referrals project
Several other UK projects in the pipeline. HL7 UK will be showcasing.
Will be the format of MHD (IHE Mobile XDS profile)
US Government (ONC) also working with FHIR
Many suppliers looking at FHIR and actively involved in its development

11. Getting ready Consider FHIR for new requirements
e.g. Expose appointments or lab data to patients on their smart phones
When the alternative is roll your own, FHIR is easier.
Map existing internal interfaces to FHIR to allow easy external interfacing
FHIR Patient resource is a common API for demographics
Systems can have a simple FHIR Patient interface added
Share demographics (e.g. to Social Care)
Compare NHS numbers between systems (strategic NHS objective)
Look at adopting FHIR as an internal architecture

12. Next steps for you
Read the spec: (or google “FHIR”)
Comment on the spec: discussion thread on each page
Join the FHIR list (google “fhir list”) FHIR_ _list_subscription_instructions
Follow #FHIR on Twitter
Try implementing it
Come to a hack day!

13. HL7 UK FHIR Activity UK FHIR Forum (date TBC either April 3rd or 9th)
New “steering group” for FHIR standard in UK – First meeting, online
Contact
FHIR UK hack day #2 soon (April/May date TBC)
HL7 Interoperability Forum, 19th June
FHIR case studies
HL7 FHIR 'Hands-on' training
Was last week, but also 12th November 2014, Sooner if demand
Live demo:

14. Thanks
Contact: Rik Smithies – Technical Committee Chair HL7 UK
Some slides based on ones by the 3 core architects of FHIR:
Grahame Grieve, Australia
Ewout Kramer, The Netherlands
Lloyd McKenzie, Canada
This presentation, Creative Commons, specifically:
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unsupported License
(Do with it as you wish, so long as you give credit)