Better Compatible version of Hl7, v2 or v3?

Question

I am going to implement a generic HMIS with true implementation of HL7. I have studied all the advantages and disadvantages of both versions of HL7 i.e v2 and v3. But still the confusion exists that which version is better to go with implementation either it is v2 for its stability or v3 for its plug and play compatibility. Need your opinion.

Answer 1

The HL7 is the organization but also is a set of interoperability standards. It means it is not a function in your system that operates on its own, it is a way that your system communicates with other systems. So the interface that you need to implement in your system - HL7v2 or HL7v3 or HL7 FHIR – is actually dictated by your counterparts.

For example, if you are in US, most likely you'll end up with HL7v2 for messaging, HL7v3 CDA for documents (better know as a separate C-CDA standard) and HL7 FHIR for SMART initiatives. (Let's assume we are not talking about IHE profiles with "v3" suffix.) For Canada and UK it will be the same with the only difference that these countries are using HL7v2 and HL7v3 for messaging.

Answer 2

I would like to answer your question based on Implementation and Data consumption.

HL7v2 is pipe delimited and v3 is of XML, FHIR comes in JSON and XML flavors. Before discussing advantage and disadvantage, it is essential to understand how the end system consumes data. What provision they have, and based on that you can proceed further.

If this question is regarding how efficiently all patient data can be captured in a message format? . I will go with both V2 and V3. V3 is much more standardized, gives more specifications and descriptions. V2 is also has HL7 specific standards for it, if you think that specific message format of yours (ADT/ORU/DFT) lacks specific features to capture, you can use Z-segment or NTE. V3 CDA standards makes sure (upto what I have used), covers most information with its specification itself.

For (Eg:consider CDA standards) Based on the needs CDA can come with its own flavor, as of HL7 standards there are separate Progress notes C-CDA, Procedure notes C-CDA, Transition of Care C-CDA, Diagnostic Imaging Report C-CDA and so on.