An update on HL7's XML-based document representation standards

Many people know of HL7 as an organization that creates healthcare messaging standards. But HL7 is also developing standards for the representation of clinical documents (such as discharge summaries and consultation notes). These document standards comprise the HL7 Clinical Document Architecture (CDA). Last year we presented a high-level conceptual overview of the CDA. Since that time, CDA has entered HL7's formal ballot process (which when successful will make the CDA an ANSI-approved HL7 standard). This article delves into the technical details of the current CDA proposal. Note that due to space limitations, only a subset of CDA details can be described. Also, because the ballot process elicits considerable feedback, it is likely that the material presented here will undergo evolution prior to becoming a final standard. The most up-to-date information is available on HL7's web site (www.hl7.org).