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

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2023 May 18:302:43-47. doi: 10.3233/SHTI230061.

Abstract

FHIR is a widely accepted interoperability standard for exchanging medical data, but data transformation from the primary health information systems into FHIR is usually challenging and requires advanced technical skills and infrastructure. There is a critical need for low-cost solutions, and using Mirth Connect as an open-source tool provides this opportunity. We developed a reference implementation to transform data from CSV (the most common data format) into FHIR resources using Mirth Connect without any advanced technical resources or programming skills. This reference implementation is tested successfully for both quality and performance, and it enables reproducing and improving the implemented approach by healthcare providers to transform raw data into FHIR resources. For ensuring replicability, the used channel, mapping, and templates are available publicly on GitHub (https://github.com/alkarkoukly/CSV-FHIR-Transformer).

Keywords: CSV; Data Transformation; FHIR; Fast Health Interoperability Resources; Interoperability; Mirth Connect; open-source.

MeSH terms

  • Electronic Health Records
  • Health Information Systems*
  • Health Level Seven
  • Software*