HL7 finalizing PHR standards

Health data standards group Health Level Seven (HL7) has begun accepting votes on whether or not to approve its Personal Health Record Functional Model (PHR-S), an interesting development given that health plans, employers and providers still don't seem to have agreed upon what content a PHR should actually contain. Both members and non-members of HL7 can vote on the standards, though non-members must pay an administrative fee to participate. If approved, the HL7 standards will become a draft standard, and will be refined for two years until they comply with ANSI requirements.

HL7's standards  define what functions a PHR and security features are common in existing PHR platforms, and offers ideas on how to share between PHRs or from PHR to EMRs. PHR-S may be the first industry standard defining core functions for PHRs, according to the group's statement.

To learn more about the standards:
- read this HL7 press release (.pdf)
- read this iHealthBeat piece
- read this Digital HealthCare & Productivity article

ALSO: Kaiser Permanente has made personal health records available to all of its 8.7 million health plan members. Article

Related Articles:
Microsoft kicks off PHR initiative. Report
AHIMA promotes PHR use. Report
Giant employers move ahead with PHR project. Report
A PHR turning point. Editorial
AHIMA demands better PHR privacy protections. Report
Blue plans, health industry group plan PHR. Report
Kennedy to file PHR legislation. Report
Banks to offer help in PHR dissemination. Report

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