Breaking Barriers for Interoperability: A Reference Implementation of CSV-FHIR Transformation Using Open-Source Tools

Alkarkoukly, Samer; Kamal, M.; Beyan, Oya

doi:10.3233/shti230061

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 5 publications

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“…The usage of Mirth as a transformation engine is an intuitive choice due to its functionality and product scope. So various studies are found dealing with the transformation from HL7 v2 message into further target formats, including structural reformation into JSON [23] or standardization into HL7 FHIR [24]. Our approach is based on a prior study that evaluated the transformation of StructureMaps into Mirth channels [25].…”

Section: Comparison With Prior Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

FML2Mirth: Generic Transformation of complex laboratory data based on FML-mapping rules and automatically generated Mirth channels (Preprint)

Kruse,

Wiedekopf,

Kock-Schoppenhauer

et al. 2024

Preprint

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BACKGROUND Reaching a significant amount of interoperability between proprietary healthcare systems is an ubiquitous task in medical informatics, where communication servers are traditionally used for referring and transforming data from source to target systems. The Mirth Connect Server, which is an open-source communication server, offers in addition to the exchange functionality, also functions for the simultaneous manipulation of data. In recent times, the standard Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) is becoming more and more prevalent in the German healthcare system. This standard specifies its own standardized mechanisms for transforming data structures in the form of StructureMaps and the FHIR Mapping Language. OBJECTIVE In this study, a generic approach will be developed, which allows to apply these formalized mapping rules defined by the FHIR Mapping Language in an exchangeable manner. A transformation engine is required to execute the mapping rules. METHODS FHIR natively defines resources to support conversion of instance data, the FHIR resource StructureMap. This resource encodes all information required to transform data from a source system into a target system. In our approach, this information is defined in an implementation-independent manner using the FHIR Mapping Language. Once the mapping has been defined, executable Mirth channels are automatically generated from the resources containing the mapping in form of JavaScript. These channels can be deployed to the Mirth Connect Server. RESULTS The resulting tool is called FML2Mirth, a Java-based transformer that derives Mirth channels from a given mapping based on the underlying StructureMaps that contain the detailed rules. The implementation of the translate functionality is guaranteed by the integration of a terminology server and to achieve conformity with existing profiles, validation via the FHIR validator is built in. The system is evaluated for its practical use by transforming LDTv.2 laboratory results into MIO lab reports according to NASHIP specifications and into to the HL7 Europe Laboratory Report. It is shown that the system can generate complex structures, but LDTv.2 lacks some information to fully comply with the specification. CONCLUSIONS The tool for the auto-generation of Mirth channels was successfully presented. Initial tests have shown that it is feasible to use the complex structures of the mapping language in combination with a terminology server to transform instance data. Although the Mirth Server and FHIR are well established in the field of medical informatics, the combination offers space for more research, especially with regard to the FHIR Mapping Language. At the same time, it can be stated that the Mapping Language still has implementation short comings that can be compensated by Mirth Connect as a base technology. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

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Section: Comparison With Prior Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

FML2Mirth: Generic Transformation of complex laboratory data based on FML-mapping rules and automatically generated Mirth channels (Preprint)

Kruse,

Wiedekopf,

Kock-Schoppenhauer

et al. 2024

Preprint

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A Generic Transformation Approach for Complex Laboratory Data Using the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources Mapping Language: Method Development and Implementation

Kruse,

Wiedekopf,

Kock-Schoppenhauer

et al. 2024

JMIR Med Inform

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Background: Reaching a significant amount of interoperability between proprietary healthcare systems is an ubiquitous task in medical informatics, where communication servers are traditionally used for referring and transforming data from source to target systems. The Mirth Connect Server, which is an open-source communication server, offers in addition to the exchange functionality, also functions for the simultaneous manipulation of data. In recent times, the standard Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) is becoming more and more prevalent in the German healthcare system. This standard specifies its own standardized mechanisms for transforming data structures in the form of StructureMaps and the FHIR Mapping Language.Objective: In this study, a generic approach will be developed, which allows to apply these formalized mapping rules defined by the FHIR Mapping Language in an exchangeable manner. A transformation engine is required to execute the mapping rules.Methods: FHIR natively defines resources to support conversion of instance data, the FHIR resource StructureMap. This resource encodes all information required to transform data from a source system into a target system. In our approach, this information is defined in an implementation-independent manner using the FHIR Mapping Language. Once the mapping has been defined, executable Mirth channels are automatically generated from the resources containing the mapping in form of JavaScript. These channels can be deployed to the Mirth Connect Server. Results:The resulting tool is called FML2Mirth, a Java-based transformer that derives Mirth channels from a given mapping based on the underlying StructureMaps that contain the detailed rules. The implementation of the translate functionality is guaranteed by the integration of a terminology server and to achieve conformity with existing profiles, validation via the FHIR validator is built in. The system is evaluated for its practical use by transforming LDTv.2 laboratory results into MIO lab reports according to NASHIP specifications and into to the HL7 Europe Laboratory Report. It is shown that the system can generate complex structures, but LDTv.2 lacks some information to fully comply with the specification. Conclusions:The tool for the auto-generation of Mirth channels was successfully presented. Initial tests have shown that it is feasible to use the complex structures of the mapping language in combination with a terminology server to transform instance data. Although the Mirth Server and FHIR are well established in the field of medical informatics, the combination offers space for more research, especially with regard to the FHIR Mapping Language. At the same time, it can be stated that the Mapping Language still has implementation short comings that can be compensated by Mirth Connect as a base technology. Clinical Trial: N/A

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Interoperability of health data using FHIR Mapping Language: transforming HL7 CDA to FHIR with reusable visual components

Bossenko,

Randmaa,

Piho

et al. 2024

Front. Digit. Health

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IntroductionEcosystem-centered healthcare innovations, such as digital health platforms, patient-centric records, and mobile health applications, depend on the semantic interoperability of health data. This ensures efficient, patient-focused healthcare delivery in a mobile world where citizens frequently travel for work and leisure. Beyond healthcare delivery, semantic interoperability is crucial for secondary health data use. This paper introduces a tool and techniques for achieving health data semantic interoperability, using reusable visual transformation components to create and validate transformation rules and maps, making them usable for domain experts with minimal technical skills.MethodsThe tool and techniques for health data semantic interoperability have been developed and validated using Design Science, a common methodology for developing software artifacts, including tools and techniques.ResultsOur tool and techniques are designed to facilitate the interoperability of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) by enabling the seamless unification of various health data formats in real time, without the need for extensive physical data migrations. These tools simplify complex health data transformations, allowing domain experts to specify and validate intricate data transformation rules and maps. The need for such a solution arises from the ongoing transition of the Estonian National Health Information System (ENHIS) from Clinical Document Architecture (CDA) to Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR), but it is general enough to be used for other data transformation needs, including the European Health Data Space (EHDS) ecosystem.ConclusionThe proposed tool and techniques simplify health data transformation by allowing domain experts to specify and validate the necessary data transformation rules and maps. Evaluation by ENHIS domain experts demonstrated the usability, effectiveness, and business value of the tool and techniques.

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Breaking Barriers for Interoperability: A Reference Implementation of CSV-FHIR Transformation Using Open-Source Tools

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

FML2Mirth: Generic Transformation of complex laboratory data based on FML-mapping rules and automatically generated Mirth channels (Preprint)

FML2Mirth: Generic Transformation of complex laboratory data based on FML-mapping rules and automatically generated Mirth channels (Preprint)

A Generic Transformation Approach for Complex Laboratory Data Using the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources Mapping Language: Method Development and Implementation

Interoperability of health data using FHIR Mapping Language: transforming HL7 CDA to FHIR with reusable visual components

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