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.
Medblocks Blog
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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 how HL7 evolved from messages to models to web-friendly resources.
The Creation of FHIR and Why it Matters for Healthcare
Learn when FHIR was created, why HL7 developed it, and how it transformed healthcare data interoperability across the industry.
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.
FHIR Resources: How Healthcare Data Is Organized
Understand how FHIR resources like Patient, Observation, and Medication enable smooth, standardized healthcare data exchange.
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. This blog looks at how sidecars started, how they evolved, and why they’re still relevant in healthcare today.
Interoperability Runs on Open Source, Not Standards
While open standards set the rules, open source gets the work done. We discuss choosing tools, handling semantics and making health systems actually interoperable.
10 Tools Every FHIR Developer Must Know
In this article, we break down the Top 10 FHIR tools every developer should know in 2025, from building and hosting servers to validating, profiling, exploring, and testing your FHIR data.
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 the Digital Health Hackers Podcast, Sidharth speaks to Christopher Jones, CEO and founder of MatchRite Care. Born from personal loss, MatchRite Care is a unified health record portal that places the patient at the center.
Three Ways to Build Your FHIR Server
Here we assess three main approaches to implementing RESTful FHIR servers - Facade, Synchronization and Hybrid. Additionally, we look at FHIR Documents and Messaging information exchange paradigms.
Get Your Patient App Live on Epic in 48 Hours
Deploy your patient-facing FHIR app across Epic hospitals in just 48 hours with this simple guide. We demystify Epic's Automatic Client Record Distribution, letting your apps reach patients without manual installs, legalese and red tape.
What Does It Take to Build a FHIR-First EHR? | Aidbox
What does it take to build a truly modern EHR? In this in-depth conversation with Health Samurai CTO Nikolai Ryzhikov, we explore the path from monolithic systems to modular, FHIR-first platforms.
Learn to Build a Python Facade and Make Your EHR FHIR-Compliant
A 'facade' could be the answer you're looking for to solve your legacy data's FHIR-compatibility woes. In this simple tutorial, we take you through how to create a FHIR Facade on a Postgres database using Python.
Build FHIR Applications in Java with HAPI FHIR
This hands-on guide shows you how to code using the HAPI FHIR library in Java. and create real FHIR apps. Learn to work with FHIR Resources and interact with FHIR REST APIs.
How to Work with FHIR REST APIs using Python
This guide explores how to perform real-world operations like creating, reading, updating and deleting patient data on a FHIR Server using FHIR REST APIs and Python.
Announcing Medblocks openFHIR: An open-source engine that bridges openEHR and FHIR
Introducing openFHIR, an open-source bidirectional mapping engine that converts between openEHR and FHIR health data standards. Built on the FHIRConnect specification and Apache 2.0 licensed.
A Beginner's Guide to FHIR Questionnaire Question Types
FHIR's Questionnaire resource is a great way to build scalable and interoperable forms. Using the right question types can make or break your form data quality.
The openEHR Vision with Professor David Ingram
In episode 15 of the Digital Health Hackers Podcast, Sidharth speaks to Prof. David Ingram, one of the creators of openEHR. In this article we explore his story, from physicist to engineer to healthcare information technology innovator.
openEHR vs FHIR and other health IT standards
Health IT has various standards, and choosing the right one is often confusing. Let's understand the differences clearly so you can select the standard for the required task.
An Intuitive Guide to AQL (Archetype Query Language)
This article simplifies AQL (Archetype Query Language) by breaking it down into its basic concepts and providing examples that are suitable for readers at even beginner levels of openEHR proficiency.
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.
What are openEHR Archetypes and Templates? A Beginner’s Guide
Have you been confused by all the openEHR terminology? What even are archetypes and templates? Read on to find out.
Building the SMART on Epic Application: Coding Tutorial
Let's go ahead and apply the fundamentals we learnt in 'Patient App Integration with SMART on Epic - How To Guide - The Fundamentals' and code a fully functional application. In the end, you'll be able to make more applications of your own using SMART.
Patient App Integration with SMART on Epic - How To Guide - The Fundamentals
Healthcare apps rely on a powerful framework called SMART on FHIR, a technology that’s quietly transforming healthcare. In this series, we’ll uncover how it works, and by the end, you’ll know how to build your SMART-powered health app from the ground up.
How to build your first FHIR application using AI in 30 minutes
With the revolutionary technology of Large Language Models and AI assisted coding tools, building healthcare applications are no longer reserved for the seasoned programmers. This article is an introduction to building a FHIR web app for an absolute beginner using AI coding tools and techniques.
FHIR Questionnaire vs Composition: Which Do You Need?
One organizes existing health data and the other gathers new inputs. Which is which? Do you need both? Read on to find out.
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 and redefining the doctor-patient relationship.
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.
Catalonia’s Digital Health Revolution: Jordi Piera on Building an Open Platform
Catalonia is set to make history by building the world’s first open-source, interoperable unified health record under the guidance of the Director of Digital Health Strategy—Jordi Piera.
Designing for Doctors: A FHIR-Driven Approach to Patient Management That Clinicians Actually Use
Explore how Medblocks' user-friendly patient management solution, powered by FHIR APIs, optimizes hospital workflows. The design prioritizes clinician efficiency and flexibility, facilitating easy registration and real-time patient tracking. Discover how a user-centered design and vendor-neutral APIs enhance healthcare delivery.
FHIR Questionnaire Essentials: How to Get Started
Is it even possible to have healthcare forms that comply with a unified standard? In this tutorial, we explore FHIR's Questionnaire resource, which is a step in the right direction.
Why FHIR Matters: Grahame Grieve’s Mission to End Data Fragmentation
Grahame Grieve, known as the “father of FHIR,” stops by the Digital Health Hackers podcast with an update on global adoption and we look at some of the ongoing stumbling blocks to universal data sharing.
The Mind Behind etherCIS Takes on Healthcare’s Disconnected Data Landscape
A thought leader in healthcare technology, Christian Chevalley joins us on the Digital Health Hackers podcast and shares his insights on connecting healthcare's disparate data landscape.
How We Turned a Chaotic, High-Information-Density Interface into a Masterpiece of Functionality
Explore the process of redesigning a user-friendly EHR interface for ophthalmology, emphasizing collaboration with domain experts and iterative design improvements.
Why We're Reinventing the EHR
Traditional approaches to healthcare software development have significant drawbacks. We believe a platform that has some standardized features and some extensible features might be the right answer.
How to Enable FHIR Profile Validation with HAPI FHIR JPA Server
Walkthrough on how to configure HAPI FHIR to do profile validation for you, and few fundamental concepts of FHIR Profiles.
FHIR vs. Traditional HL7: What Makes This Standard So Different?
Discover why FHIR is changing healthcare IT. Learn about FHIR's advantages over traditional HL7 standards like v2, C-CDA and v3, its rapid adoption, and how it simplifies health data exchange.
How to Setup Production-Ready ERPNext Healthcare on Kubernetes
ERPNext is capable of handling almost all requirements of your healthcare enterprise. And with the low-code, open-source nature of the platform you can easily suggest improvements or customise it for your needs.
What is FHIR? A Beginner's Guide
Learn 5 Key HL7 FHIR Concepts - Resources, Data Elements, Profiles, Exchange Paradigms, and Implementation Guides.
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.
FHIR CDS Hook Service: How to Create One in 10 mins!
Follow along and create your first HL7 FHIR CDS Hooks Service using NodeJS and the CDS Hooks Sandbox in less than 10 minutes.
HL7 FHIR CDS Hooks - A Practical Guide
HL7 CDS Hooks is a specification by HL7 that enables EHRs to integrate Clinical Decision Support using RESTful HTTP APIs.
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.
What is a FHIR Terminology Service?
The FHIR terminology service offers functions derived from a collection of CodeSystem, ValueSet, and ConceptMap resources.
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.
What is an Enterprise Master Patient Index (EMPI)?
Discover the critical role of Enterprise Master Patient Indexes (EMPI) in managing patient data across healthcare systems, ensuring accuracy and safety in treatment.
How To Create Your First FHIR Resource Like A Pro
Learn to create FHIR patient resources: Navigate HL7, use JSON schemas and code with VS Code for seamless development. Learn healthcare interoperability step-by-step.
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 challenges with ABHA API, webhook handling, encryption, and FHIR data transformation, contributing to India's digital healthcare evolution.
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 to navigating the openEHR CKM or Clinical Knowledge Manager, including searching, viewing and downloading clinical artefacts like archetypes and templates.
Extensions to SNOMED CT
SNOMED allows creating extensions for terms not in its release, adhering to specific rules for standards. Extensions can map to pre-coordinated concepts or require post-coordination, published with a namespace for semantic interoperability.
Understanding the openEHR Clinical Knowledge Manager
In this comprehensive guide to the Clinical Knowledge Manager, understand how the CKM drives the core principles of openEHR - ensuring and facilitating standardization, interoperability, governance and community development.
SMART on FHIR-Frontend Flows
SMART on FHIR enables health apps to connect with EHRs securely, including OAuth2 and OpenID for authorization and authentication. It supports standalone and EHR app launches, emphasizing security, PKCE support, and specifying access through scopes.
What is a Simple Refset in SNOMED CT?
Refsets in SNOMED CT allow subsets for specific use cases, enabling standard compliance and external sharing. They cater to language, mappings, and situational needs with a mandatory regeneration post-SNOMED release.
CMS Interoperability and Patient Access Final Rule
CMS's Patient Access Rule mandates HL7 FHIR API for data access, provider directory via API, payer-to-payer data exchange, and daily federal-state data exchanges, enhancing interoperability and patient data access.
SMART on FHIR Authentication for Backend Services
SMART on FHIR defines two ways in which clients can authenticate - symmetric (shared secret) and asymmetric (public key) client authentication.
FHIR poised to gain center stage in the US
FHIR leads healthcare interoperability, enabling secure data exchange across systems. CMS/ONC's initiatives like Blue Button 2.0, BCDA, and DPC pilot utilize FHIR for Medicare data sharing, enhancing patient access and care coordination.
The Story of Medblocks
Medblocks, initially focused on blockchain for medical record interoperability, evolved to address healthcare data challenges utilizing openEHR, FHIR, SNOMED, and LOINC for standardized data format and terminology, and using OAuth2 for secure data access
Case study - Global Portable Health Clinic
PHC system by Kyushu University & Grameen Communications uses eHealth and telemedicine, integrates openEHR and FHIR, serving 45,000+ since 2010, now includes Tele-Pathology and Tele-Eye Care.
The SNOMED CT Browser Explained
Use SNOMED CT Browser for exploring clinical concepts, synonyms, relationships, and semantic tags. Supports ECL for advanced search and MRCM for rules validation.
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 and care readiness.
Frontend Frameworks - Why you should reconsider
Exploring web components for front-end development, moving from Vue to Svelte for Medblocks UI due to performance, with a focus on lit-html and web components for framework-independent, efficient UI construction.