Getting Started with HL7 Version 3 and BizTalk Server 2006 (R2)

After a long gestation period we have finally published the HL7 v3 and BizTalk whitepaper:

Getting Started with HL7 v3 and BizTalk Server 2006

This paper provides developers with an overview of HL7 version 3 Messaging (HL7 v3) concepts, how to build HL7 v3 solutions with Microsoft® BizTalk® Server 2006, and how to convert message format from HL7 v3 to HL7 Version 2 Messaging (HL7 v2).

Given all the different nuances of HL7 v3, it is somewhat difficult for Microsoft to build a "product", but we're definitely committed to supporting the development of solutions based on HL7 v3 messaging standard on the Microsoft platform. Over the past years we worked very closely with HL7 to make sure that XML best practices and Web Services were included in the development of the standard and at the same time that the Microsoft platform would support HL7's artifacts.

The whitepaper analyzes a typical workflow and the steps that are required to make everything work like it should. We have many customers and partners that contributed to the experience that led to the development of this paper. While the paper is by no means meant to be all-encompassing, it definitely gives a good idea and starting point.

The scenario that we selected for HL7 v2/v3 interop is based on the IHE ITI Patient Identity Feed transactions for HL7 v2 and HL7 v3.

This whitepaper comes with sample code for BizTalk 2006 R2 and the version 2.0 of the BizTalk Accelerator for HL7.

If you have not seen it, there is a nice complement to this paper that examines the development of HL7 v2 solutions (although based on v1.3 of the Accelerator for HL7).