FHIR® (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) is an application programming interface (API)-focused standard used to represent and exchange health information maintained by the standards development organization HL7® (Health Level 7). ONC’s FHIR Fact Sheets are a collaborative effort with HL7 to help educate and demystify FHIR. These fact sheets will summarize the key technical concepts that make up the foundation of FHIR, how it is developed in an open and public process, and why FHIR adoption has become the focus of the health IT standards world. Full details and developer documentation can be found at HL7’s FHIR website.
FHIR Fact Sheets
What is HL7® FHIR®?
FHIR stands for Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources, a next-generation interoperability standard created by the standards development organization Health Level 7 (HL7). FHIR is designed to enable health data, including clinical and administrative data, to be quickly and efficiently exchanged. Download the What is HL7® FHIR®? Fact Sheet [PDF - 343 KB].
Introduction to FHIR® Resources
At the core of HL7 FHIR is a set of modular components called "Resources." These form the basic data exchange format and model of FHIR. Resources define the component data elements, constraints, and relationships that make up an exchangeable patient record. Download the Introduction to FHIR® Resources Fact Sheet [PDF - 569 KB] for more information.
FHIR® Version History and Maturity
HL7 FHIR has evolved through four releases since its initial presentation in May 2012. It has grown from a true draft standard with 49 Resources to its current 145 and continues to expand. In that time, the standard has improved and changed to meet the needs of the health information technology community. Download the FHIR® Version History and Maturity Fact Sheet [PDF - 347 KB] for more details.
The FHIR® API
HL7 FHIR includes specifications for an Application Programming Interface (API) based on established web standards and modern information exchange that has been extended to create a full interoperability solution for health care. Download The FHIR® API Fact Sheet [PDF - 179 KB] for more details.