Karolinska Tip2Toe: Structured Rare-Disease Phenotyping with SMART on openEHR
This project breakdown looks at how we built Tip2Toe, a rare disease phenotyping application for Karolinska University Hospital.
Medblocks Blog
We believe healthcare deserves better software. Follow our journey building open infrastructure for the future of health.
The Data Warehouse is openEHR's Strongest Use Case Right Now
Why openEHR works better as a silver layer in your data warehouse than as a CDR, and what that means for clinical data at scale.
What is HL7? Understanding the Standard Behind Healthcare Data Exchange
This article details HL7's role in healthcare data exchange since 1987. It explores the standards family including legacy v2, CDA, and modern FHIR APIs highlighting their necessity for interoperability, regulatory compliance, and system integration.
What Is FHIR? The Complete Developer Guide [2026, R4]
The complete guide to FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources). Learn FHIR resources, R4, Profiles and Implementation Guides, SMART on FHIR, HL7 history, and how to start.
EHR Systems Explained: What They Are, How They Work, and How to Choose the Right One
Complete guide to EHR systems in 2026: how they work, EHR vs EMR, FHIR APIs, costs, and why architecture matters more than features.
How to Get a Patient's Health Record in 2026
You'd think I'd tell you about APIs or tools. The key is in understanding legal coverage.
I Built Something A Few Weeks Ago
My mother-in-law needed a clinical trial. My wife and I, both doctors, had a hard time finding the right one. I decided to try to solve it.
Can openEHR just be SQL tables?
I make the case that SQL could be the solution to simplifying the layers of complexity in health data architecture. This is a written version of my talk at EHRCON 25.
Couchbase FHIR vs HAPI FHIR: Who is faster?
Choosing a self-hosted FHIR server? This benchmark compares Couchbase FHIR and HAPI FHIR under real-world load from 100 to 1,000 concurrent users. Discover which handles higher throughput, maintains lower latency, and where each architecture hits its breaking point. Data-driven insights for healthcare infrastructure decisions.
I Am Terrible at Directions
But that hasn't mattered in years.
CDS Hooks Matter More Than You Think
CDS Hooks are more than alerts: they’re real-time EHR webhooks that can surface a card and launch a SMART on FHIR app, letting you run workflows outside the EHR. The key is relevance + low latency, and rising adoption.
No More Service Partners
We tried scaling with service partners, but it didn't work. Learn what went wrong, how we're fixing it, and why we're returning to our lean in-house team.
Couchbase + FHIR for healthcare at scale | DHH Podcast
In this Digital Health Hackers episode, I discuss the Couchbase FHIR Server CE with Krishna Prasad Doddi, exploring our collaborative build and insights.
The $10 Million Mistake Toyota Refused to Make
What can car factories from the 70s teach us about health data exchange?
Why do AI Agents Fail on EHR Data?
Benchmark results and a failure deep-dive expose the real gap in healthcare data: missing semantic models, and the value-set workarounds they force.
What Is openEHR? End Vendor Lock-In & Future-Proof EHR Data
EHR vendors holding your data hostage? openEHR separates clinical meaning from software so records outlive any app. Trusted by NHS, Catalonia & 8M+ patients.
IHE XDS Explained: Registry, Repository & ITI Transactions
Understand IHE XDS federated architecture: Registry, Repository, ITI-41/42/43 transactions & SOAP. Run a working XDS exchange locally with the NIST toolkit.
Building Clinician-First Precision Medicine Infrastructure
In conversation with Dr. Videha Sharma, CEO of Fava Health, Sidharth discusses the future of precision medicine and the technology infrastructure needed.
Catalonia's openEHR CDR for 8 Million People
Catalonia wanted an openEHR Clinical Data Repository for 8 million people. Medblocks worked with IBM and vitagroup to design the sync layer for hospitals.
Couchbase x Medblocks - Building a NoSQL FHIR Server
We walk you through building a FHIR server on top of Couchbase's NoSQL database, covering challenges, technical decisions, architecture, and local setup.
Foundational openEHR: Archetype Classes and Lifecycle
Develop applications that suit your clinical needs with a deeper understanding of openEHR Archetype Classes and Clinical Knowledge Manager lifecycle.
Could FHIR Work as an Alternative to XDS?
Explore how FHIR compares to XDS in healthcare data sharing and what it means for interoperability between hospitals and clinics.
What Does FHIR Versioning Mean for Your Systems
Learn how FHIR uses semantic versioning to manage updates, ensure compatibility and support smooth transitions between healthcare data standards like R4 and R5.
How Is FHIR Being Used Around the World
Curious how FHIR is used and who’s adopting it? Here are real-world examples of how FHIR is reshaping healthcare across the globe.
A History of HL7: From Terminals to APIs
A journey through 30 years of healthcare interoperability from costly 1980s interfaces to modern FHIR APIs following HL7's evolution to web-friendly resources.
Understanding the 4 Levels of Healthcare Interoperability
From structured data to policy alignment, explore the 4 levels of interoperability and why they matter for compliance, care, and innovation.
GE HealthCare x Medblocks - Simplifying Cancer Care Decisions
Here we explore a real-world project we did with GE HealthCare, where we tackled the challenges of data normalization in oncology care.
EHR Sidecars and their History
EHR sidecars have a long history of filling gaps that core EHRs couldn't. Learn how sidecars started, evolved, and why they're still relevant today.
Interoperability Runs on Open Source, Not Standards
While open standards set the rules, open source gets the work done. Discuss choosing tools, handling semantics and making health systems interoperable.
Top 10 FHIR Developer Tools (2026): Build, Test & Validate
Stop drowning in FHIR docs. From HAPI FHIR & Simplifier to Inferno & validators - 10 tools that save hours. Covers servers, testing & profiling. Updated 2026.
12 FHIR Resources Everyone Should Know
In this article we’re breaking down the 12 most essential FHIR resources you need to know when starting out.
Unified Patient Records from 16+ EMRs with MatchRite’s Common Data Engine
In episode 17 of Digital Health Hackers Podcast, Sidharth speaks to Christopher Jones, CEO of MatchRite Care, a patient-centered unified health record portal.
Three Ways to Build a FHIR Server: Facade, Sync & Hybrid
Explore three approaches to building RESTful FHIR servers: Facade, Synchronization, & Hybrid. Understand where REST APIs, Documents, and Messaging fit in FHIR.
Epic Patient App Distribution Using Automatic Client IDs
A step-by-step guide to deploying patient-facing FHIR apps on Epic using Automatic Client ID Distribution, including eligibility criteria, and production setup.
Building a FHIR-First EHR with Aidbox: Health Samurai CTO
Stop storing FHIR as JSON blobs. Health Samurai CTO Nikolai Ryzhikov explains how Aidbox uses FHIR as its internal model — with real SQL on live FHIR data.
How to Make Legacy EHR Systems FHIR-Compliant with Python
Learn to build a Python FHIR Facade using FastAPI and PostgreSQL to expose legacy EHR data as FHIR APIs supporting read search operations and interoperability
HAPI FHIR Java Tutorial: Build Real Healthcare Apps Fast
Already know Java? Now learn FHIR. Build, read, update & delete Patient resources using HAPI FHIR's fluent client. Working code included. Perfect for Java devs.
How to Work with FHIR REST APIs using Python
This guide explores performing real-world operations like creating, reading, updating, and deleting patient data on a FHIR Server using Python.
Announcing Medblocks openFHIR: An open-source engine that bridges openEHR and FHIR
Introducing openFHIR, an open-source bidirectional mapping engine converting between openEHR and FHIR standards. Built on FHIRConnect, Apache 2.0.
FHIR Questionnaire Item Types: Every Answer Type + JSON
Explore all FHIR Questionnaire item types: string, boolean, coding, date, quantity & more. Includes real JSON examples for each type. Essential for form builders.
openEHR vs FHIR and other health IT standards
Health IT has various standards, and choosing the right one is often confusing. Understand the differences clearly to select the right standard.
An Intuitive Guide to AQL (Archetype Query Language)
This article simplifies AQL (Archetype Query Language) by breaking it down into basic concepts with examples suitable for even beginner openEHR levels.
Host An Authenticated EHRbase Server In The Cloud In Under 15 Mins
This article provides a step-by-step guide to hosting an authenticated EHRbase server in the cloud and exposing its REST APIs over HTTPS using Traefik.
openEHR Archetypes & Templates: Two-Level Model Explained
Understand openEHR's two-level model: Archetypes define clinical concepts, Templates combine them for workflows. Covers CKM, ADL format & real examples. Clear guide.
Build a SMART on Epic App in React: OAuth2 + PKCE Tutorial
Code a full SMART on Epic patient app step-by-step. Covers PKCE, auth code flow, token exchange & Epic FHIR R4 API calls. Working React code included.
How to build your first FHIR application using AI in 30 minutes
With LLMs and AI coding tools, building healthcare apps is no longer just for seasoned programmers. An introduction to building FHIR web apps for beginners.
FHIR Questionnaire vs Composition: Forms vs Documents?
Building clinical forms or discharge summaries in FHIR? Learn exactly when to use Questionnaire vs Composition — with a clear use-case breakdown. Stop confusing them.
Lessons from E-Patient Dave’s Journey and the Changes We Need
E-Patient Dave's journey highlights the power of patient data access, collaboration, and open standards like FHIR and openEHR in transforming healthcare.
How we Optimized Patient Search Speed by 90% Using Postgres Text Search
Leveraging PostgreSQL’s native full-text search, we cut query times from seconds to milliseconds, giving clinicians instant access to critical patient data.
World's First openEHR CDR for 8M People: Catalonia's Story
How Catalonia unified 29 EMR systems into one openEHR CDR for 8 million residents. Jordi Piera, Director of Digital Health Strategy, explains the strategy.
Designing for Doctors: A FHIR-Driven Approach to Patient Management That Clinicians Actually Use
Explore Medblocks' patient management solution powered by FHIR APIs, optimizing hospital workflows with user-centered design and vendor-neutral approach.
FHIR Questionnaire Resource: Structure, QuestionnaireResponse & How It Works
Understand the FHIR Questionnaire resource from scratch, structure, item types, QuestionnaireResponse, and hands-on exploration using free NLM open-source tools.
The Mind Behind etherCIS Takes on Healthcare’s Disconnected Data Landscape
Healthcare technology thought leader Christian Chevalley joins Digital Health Hackers podcast, sharing insights on connecting healthcare's disparate data.
How We Turned a Chaotic, High-Information-Density Interface into a Masterpiece of Functionality
Explore redesigning a user-friendly EHR interface for ophthalmology, emphasizing collaboration with domain experts and iterative design improvements.
Why We're Reinventing the EHR
Traditional healthcare software development has significant drawbacks. A platform with standardized features and extensible features might be the right answer.
HAPI FHIR US Core Profile Validation: Fix the Silent Fail Bug
HAPI FHIR doesn't validate profiles by default — even with meta.profile set. Learn how to upload StructureDefinitions & enable validation via Docker env vars.
ERPNext Healthcare Setup Guide: From Demo to Production
Step-by-step guide to deploying ERPNext Healthcare on Kubernetes. Covers patient care, billing, lab modules & FHIR integration. Open-source. Production-ready.
How to Create an EHRbase Plugin
Extend your openEHR Server! Learn how to create an EHRbase plugin that can make additional calls to the database and create a transactional outbox.
CDS Hooks Tutorial: Build a Working Service with Node.js
Build and test CDS Hooks service with Node.js. Learn Discovery endpoints, CDS Cards, patient-view hooks, ngrok setup, EHR integration, and real-world workflows.
HL7 CDS Hooks Explained: How EHRs Integrate Real-Time Clinical Decision Support
Learn how HL7 CDS Hooks lets EHRs call external APIs for real-time clinical alerts, covering drug interactions, pre-authorization, and quality measures. With code examples.
Which Health IT Standard to Pick: FHIR, openEHR, or OMOP?
Each domain has its own best-suited standard: FHIR, openEHR, and OMOP respectively. There's an art to picking the standard for the data use case.
FHIR Terminology Service: SNOMED, LOINC & ICD-10 Unified
Use one FHIR API to query SNOMED, LOINC & ICD-10. Learn CodeSystems, ValueSets, ConceptMaps & key operations like $lookup & $expand. Clear guide with examples.
Breaking Down the Healthcare Giant into 3 Distinct Business Models
Explore Clayton M. Christensen's vision for healthcare in "The Innovator's Prescription" – a groundbreaking approach to improving patient care.
EMPI Explained: What It Is, How It Works & Why It Matters
Duplicate patient records cost lives. Learn how an EMPI fixes that with matching algorithms, blocking rules, and a single source of truth. Clear, practical guide.
Create a FHIR Patient Resource in Python | Beginner Guide
New to FHIR? Build your first Patient resource in Python using fhir.resources. Includes JSON schema, validation & VS Code setup. Step-by-step for beginners.
Exploring FHIR Paradigms: Case Studies Across the Globe
FHIR boosts healthcare data exchange, linking clinical, admin, and research via EHR, REST, Documents, Messages, and Services.
Volume based care to Value based care in India
India's PM-JAY aims for value-based care with bundled pricing, tech access, and quality incentives for better health outcomes.
Migrating Legacy Data to FHIR at scale using ETL's
ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) moves data from legacy systems to FHIR, using Apache Debezium and Nifi for syncing databases in FHIR format.
The missing step to complete healthcare digitization
Medblocks digitizes India's healthcare, integrating EHRs with Ayushman Bharat, targeting skill gaps and advancing structured data.
Case Study - Implementing ABDM for the Government of Andhra Pradesh
Medblocks implemented all 3 ABDM milestones for Andhra Pradesh's Health Ministry, overcoming API, webhook, encryption, and FHIR transformation challenges.
ABDM: Ushering in the UPI moment of healthcare
ABDM digitalizes India's healthcare with health IDs, interoperability, and data security, aiming for universal coverage via digital platforms.
Designing openEHR templates using the Archetype Designer
openEHR standardizes health data with archetypes and templates for interoperability. Templates are built from Archetypes using the Archetype Designer Tool.
How to Use the openEHR Clinical Knowledge Manager
A beginner-friendly guide to navigating the openEHR CKM or Clinical Knowledge Manager, including searching, viewing and downloading clinical artefacts.
Extensions to SNOMED CT
SNOMED allows creating extensions for missing terms, adhering to specific rules. Extensions can map to concepts or require post-coordination with namespace.
Understanding the openEHR Clinical Knowledge Manager
In this comprehensive guide to Clinical Knowledge Manager, understand how CKM drives openEHR's core principles of standardization and interoperability.
SMART on FHIR App Launch Flows: OAuth 2.0, PKCE & EHR Launches
Learn how SMART on FHIR app launches work, including standalone and EHR launches, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, PKCE, scopes, launch context, and app registration.
What is a Simple Refset in SNOMED CT?
Refsets in SNOMED CT allow subsets for specific use cases, enabling standard compliance and external sharing with mandatory regeneration post-release.
CMS Interoperability and Patient Access Final Rule
CMS's Patient Access Rule mandates HL7 FHIR API for data access, provider directory, payer-to-payer exchange, and daily federal-state data exchanges.
SMART on FHIR Backend Auth: Symmetric vs Asymmetric Guide
No user interaction needed. Learn both symmetric & asymmetric SMART on FHIR auth - OAuth2 client credentials, JWT assertions & JWK setup. Practical walkthrough.
FHIR poised to gain center stage in the US
FHIR leads healthcare interoperability, enabling secure data exchange. CMS/ONC initiatives like Blue Button 2.0 and BCDA utilize FHIR for Medicare data.
The Story of Medblocks
Medblocks evolved from blockchain to address healthcare data challenges using openEHR, FHIR, SNOMED, LOINC standards and OAuth2.
Case study - Global Portable Health Clinic
PHC system by Kyushu University & Grameen Communications uses eHealth and telemedicine, integrates openEHR and FHIR, serving 45,000+ patients since 2010.
SNOMED CT Browser Guide: ECL, MRCM, FSN & Semantic Tags
Master the SNOMED CT Browser: search concepts, read FSNs, filter by semantic tags, run ECL queries & validate with MRCM. Includes ECL short-form gotcha. Clear guide.
Introducing Medblocks UI
Medblocks UI, open-source alternative to Better EHR Studio for auto-generating forms from openEHR templates, now available under Apache 2 license.
Setting up a SNOMED CT Terminology Server using Hermes
Set up a SNOMED CT terminology server using Docker and Hermes: Clone Hermes, index SNOMED CT files, execute index.sh, start server with docker-compose up.
Case Study - Vijay Williams Covid Care, India
Dr. Sidharth and team developed a Covid care application for Dr. Sunil Gokavi's facility during the second wave, enhancing patient data analysis.
Frontend Frameworks - Why you should reconsider
Exploring web components for front-end development, moving from Vue to Svelte for Medblocks UI, focusing on lit-html for framework-independent UI.