Accelerating HL7 V2 to FHIR Mapping with Automated Code Generation
For years, translating HL7 V2 data into the modern FHIR standard has been a complex, time-consuming process. At audacious Inquiry, we’ve been tackling this challenge head-on, and I’m excited to share a notable breakthrough in our approach – a powerful code generator that dramatically accelerates the development of V2 to FHIR conversion applications. this isn’t a continuation of the original open-source v2tofhir project, but a new, commercially available request built to address broader public health data integration needs. Contact me to learn how it can benefit your institution.
As Voltaire wisely noted, “The best is the enemy of the good.” We’ve embraced this philosophy,recognizing that perfect automation isn’t always necessary – effective automation is.
From Months to Weeks: A Paradigm shift in Development
Previously, building V2 to FHIR mapping capabilities was a laborious, manual undertaking. Our initial open-source work, relying heavily on spreadsheet-based approaches, took approximately three months to support just 20 HL7 segments. A significant portion of that time was dedicated to building the necessary infrastructure, not the core mapping logic itself.
Now, with our new code generator, we can achieve near-final code for 75 segments in a matter of minutes. This represents an order of magnitude improvement in development speed. Here’s a breakdown of the impact:
Reduced Development Time: What once took months now takes weeks.
Faster Iteration: Quickly adapt to new versions of the HL7 V2 to FHIR specification.
lowered Expertise Barrier: Decreases the reliance on highly specialized Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
Improved Maintainability: Simplifies ongoing maintenance and updates.
Leveraging Imperfect AI & The Power of the Compiler
My recent “vibe coding” session with Copilot reinforced a key principle: code generators don’t need to be flawless. Years of experience in natural language processing have taught me that heuristics, combined with targeted exception handling, can deliver remarkably effective results.This insight fueled the development of our generator,which processes the 2700+ mapping rules defined in the HL7 V2 to FHIR specification.The compiler acts as a crucial quality assurance tool, functioning like a “canary in a coal mine” – promptly highlighting potential issues.
Interestingly, many errors aren’t in our code, but in the specification itself! The generator has uncovered typos within the 10,000+ lines of CSV data that underpin the HL7 standard. This makes it a valuable resource for validating the specification’s content.
A continuous Improvement Cycle
We’re currently refining the generated code,addressing approximately 40-50 remaining errors. Most of these are straightforward fixes. As we identify patterns in these errors, we’re actively augmenting the code generator to automatically resolve them.
This creates a continuous improvement cycle:
- Generate Code: Rapidly produce code for multiple segments.
- Compile & Test: Identify errors through compilation.
- Analyse Errors: Determine the root cause (specification issue or generator logic).
- Refine generator: Implement fixes to prevent future errors.
- Repeat: Continuously improve accuracy and efficiency.
The future of V2 to FHIR Conversion
This automated approach isn’t just about speed; it’s about building a more robust, scalable, and maintainable solution for V2 to FHIR conversion. It allows us to respond quickly to evolving standards and deliver greater value to our customers.
If your looking to streamline your HL7 integration processes and unlock the power of FH
