**Summary:**
This article discusses the importance and benefits of implementing the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource (FHIR) standard in the healthcare industry. It explains how FHIR, created by HL7 International, aids in exchanging electronic health records and electronic medical records. The article highlights IBM’s approach to integrating FHIR and HL7 through its IBM App Connect and IBM Cloud Pak for Integration. It details how IBM Integration transforms HL7 to FHIR bi-directionally without the need to rewrite existing applications, and it emphasizes the benefits of utilizing IBM App Connect for Healthcare, which provides pre-built patterns for migrating from HL7 to FHIR. The article also explores the integration capabilities between IBM App Connect and IBM API Connect in extending the reach of FHIR for multiple use cases.

**Implementing FHIR and HL7 with IBM® App Connect and IBM Cloud Pak® for Integration**

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, data interoperability is crucial. The Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource (FHIR) standard plays a vital role in facilitating the exchange of vital healthcare data. FHIR, developed by HL7 International, comprises an application programming interface (API) that enables the seamless exchange of electronic health records (EHRs) and electronic medical records (EMRs) among different healthcare providers and platforms. This standardized approach helps in creating a comprehensive personal health record for patients, integrating data from various sources and formats.

Healthcare data integration has historically faced challenges due to the intricate and sensitive nature of the information involved. However, the emergence of FHIR presents a promising solution in this realm.

IBM Integration offers a robust solution for healthcare providers who are transitioning from the previous HL7 standard to FHIR. Without the need to rewrite existing applications, IBM Integration is able to transform HL7 to FHIR bi-directionally, as depicted in the diagram.

IBM’s application integration software, IBM App Connect, serves as a central component in this solution, facilitating the seamless movement of healthcare data across systems. The platform provides pre-built patterns specifically tailored for healthcare, enabling organizations to efficiently migrate from HL7 to FHIR. These patterns encompass smart FHIR transformation and routing capabilities, empowering healthcare providers to populate health records and explore further customization possibilities.

Additionally, IBM App Connect is equipped with pre-built connectors for popular applications, both on-premises and cloud native, and it also supports the conversion of FHIR into alternative formats. This versatility opens up new avenues for leveraging FHIR and exploring modern integration methodologies, such as event-driven architectures.

By leveraging the tight integration between IBM App Connect and IBM API Connect, healthcare IT providers can expand the utilization of FHIR across various use cases. These capabilities are available as a standalone offering or as part of IBM Cloud Pak for Integration, providing a comprehensive platform to enhance the reach and effectiveness of FHIR APIs.

To learn more about IBM App Connect, IBM API Connect, and IBM Cloud Pak for Integration, visit the respective product pages.

**FAQ**

**Q: What is FHIR?**
A: FHIR stands for Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource and is a standard developed by HL7 International for exchanging electronic health records and electronic medical records.

**Q: How does IBM App Connect support healthcare data integration?**
A: IBM App Connect offers pre-built patterns specifically designed for healthcare, assisting organizations in seamlessly migrating from HL7 to FHIR, and providing smart FHIR transformation and routing capabilities.

**Q: What is IBM Cloud Pak for Integration?**
A: IBM Cloud Pak for Integration is a comprehensive platform that offers various capabilities, including the integration of FHIR APIs for multiple use cases, and can be a cost-effective solution for healthcare providers.