SpeedsPath Glossary of Terms

HL7 (Health Level 7)

HL7 (Health Level 7) refers to a set of international standards for the exchange, integration, sharing, and retrieval of electronic health information. In pathology lab management software, HL7 enables seamless communication between systems such as LIS, EMR/EHR, HIS, billing systems, analyzers, and third-party healthcare applications.

What Is HL7?

HL7 defines the format and structure of clinical and administrative messages so different healthcare systems can exchange information accurately and consistently. It ensures that data such as patient demographics, orders, results, billing, and reports can flow smoothly across platforms without manual input.

Key Bullet Points

• Standard messaging protocol used across hospitals, labs, and healthcare systems.
• Enables LIS to communicate with EMR/EHR, HIS, analyzers, and billing systems.
• Reduces manual data entry and errors by automating data exchange.
• Supports order entry (ORM), result reporting (ORU), ADT messages, billing (DFT), etc.
• Ensures interoperability between software from different vendors.
• Helps labs comply with digital healthcare regulations and quality standards.
• Improves turnaround time (TAT) by speeding up order-to-result workflow.
• Supports both real-time and batch-based data exchange.
• Works with TCP/IP, MLLP (Minimal Lower Layer Protocol), or web-based interfaces.
• Can be customized through HL7 interface engines for mapping and routing.

FAQs about HL7 in Pathology Lab Management Software

1. What is HL7 used for in a pathology lab?
   HL7 is used to send and receive lab orders, results, patient information, and billing data between the LIS and other healthcare systems.
2. What are the most common HL7 message types used in pathology labs?
   ORM (Order), ORU (Result), ADT (Admission/Discharge/Transfer), and DFT (Billing).
3. Does HL7 help reduce manual data entry?
   Yes. HL7 interfaces allow automatic data exchange, reducing manual input and errors.
4. Can HL7 integrate an LIS with hospital EMR/EHR systems?
   Absolutely. HL7 is the most widely used standard for LIS–EMR/EHR interoperability.
5. Is HL7 the same as FHIR?
   No. HL7 is the parent organization; HL7 v2/v3 are message standards, while FHIR is a newer API-based standard from HL7.
6. Can HL7 connect lab instruments directly to the LIS?
   Typically, lab instruments use ASTM or vendor-specific protocols, but interface engines often convert these to HL7 for LIS workflows.
7. How does HL7 improve pathology lab turnaround time (TAT)?
   By automating order and result transmission, eliminating delays caused by manual entry or paper-based workflows.
8. Do all healthcare systems support HL7?
   Most modern LIS, EMR, HIS, and billing platforms support HL7, making it a universal interoperability standard.
9. Is customization needed for HL7 integration?
   Yes. Mapping, routing, and field customization are often required because each system may implement HL7 differently.
10. Is HL7 secure for transmitting lab data?
    HL7 can be secured through encryption (TLS VPN) and network protections, though the basic v2 standard itself does not include security features.

Want to learn more? Explore our LIS Glossary or check out our expert blogs on Anatomic Pathology, Molecular Diagnostics, Cytology, and Lab Information Systems.