What does the Name “HL7” mean?
“Level Seven” refers to the top level of the seven-layer International Standards Organization’s (ISO) communications model for Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) – the application layer. The application level addresses definition of the data to be exchanged, the timing of the interchange, and the communication of certain errors to the application. The seventh level supports such functions as security checks, participant identification, availability checks, exchange mechanism negotiations and, most importantly, data exchange structuring. (More info on the 7-layer ISO communications model at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSI_model.) HL7 focuses on the interface requirements of the entire health care organization, while most other efforts focus on the requirements of a particular department. HL7 undertakes ongoing development of protocols on the fastest possible track that is both responsive and responsible to its members. The group addresses the unique requirements of already installed h
