FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources)
Also called HL7 FHIR.
A standard from HL7 for exchanging health data through modern web APIs, built from small, defined pieces called resources.
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What it is.
FHIR describes health data as resources, such as Patient, Observation, Medication and Appointment, each with a defined structure. Systems read and write them over REST APIs using JSON or XML. Resources link to each other, so a lab Observation points to the Patient it belongs to.
FHIR is published by HL7. It has several releases, and the version a given EHR supports matters. Implementation guides and profiles narrow the base standard for a country or use case.
Why it matters
FHIR makes health integrations look like ordinary API work, which cuts cost and time compared with older interfaces. It is also how many EHRs offer access to apps. But FHIR support differs between systems, so a build has to check exactly which resources and operations each target supports.
In a product build
We map the product's data model to the FHIR resources and profiles it needs, use a tested FHIR client library, and validate payloads against the target's profiles. Each EHR gets its own configuration, and we keep a log of every read and write.
Common mistakes.
- 01
Assuming FHIR support means every resource is available. Many servers expose only a subset.
- 02
Ignoring the version and profiles, then failing validation in the customer's system.
- 03
Pulling full patient histories when the feature needs a few fields.
Read the official text.
Primary sources this definition is based on.
- HL7 FHIR specification (current published version)checked 2026-10-25
- HL7 FHIR overview: resourceschecked 2026-10-25
Work it out with a tool.
Related terms.
- HL7 (Health Level Seven)The standards body behind major health data standards, and the common name for its Version 2 messages that hospital systems use to exchange data.
- EHR (electronic health record)A digital record of a patient's health and care that is built to be shared with other providers, so it can follow the patient.
- EMR (electronic medical record)The digital version of a clinician's paper chart: a patient's medical and treatment history kept within one practice.
- OAuth 2.0A standard that lets an app get limited access to a user's account on another service, without ever seeing their password.
- PHI (protected health information)Health information that can identify a person and is created or held by a HIPAA covered entity or its business associate.
