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ISO

ISO/HL7 21731:2014

(Main)

Health informatics - HL7 version 3 - Reference information model - Release 4

Health informatics - HL7 version 3 - Reference information model - Release 4

The Health Level Seven (HL7) Reference Information Model (RIM) is a static model of health and health care information as viewed within the scope of HL7 standards development activities. It is the combined consensus view of information from the perspective of the HL7 working group and the HL7 international affiliates. The RIM is the ultimate source from which all HL7 version 3.0 protocol specification standards draw their information-related content. In the context of ISO TC215 – Health Informatics, the RIM provides a reference model that has been and will likely continue to be used in developing further health informatics specifications.

Informatique de santé — HL7 version 3 — Modèle d'information de référence — Version 1

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
27-Aug-2014
ICS
35.240.80 - IT applications in health care technology
Technical Committee
ISO/TC 215 - Health informatics
Drafting Committee
ISO/TC 215/WG 2 - Systems and Device Interoperability
Current Stage
9093 - International Standard confirmed
Start Date
18-Nov-2025
Completion Date
22-Nov-2025
Ref Project

Relations

Revises
ISO/HL7 21731:2006 - Health informatics - HL7 version 3 - Reference information model - Release 1
Effective Date
04-Feb-2012

Overview

ISO/HL7 21731:2014 - Health informatics - HL7 version 3 - Reference information model - Release 4 defines the HL7 Reference Information Model (RIM) as a static, consensus model of health and healthcare information used within HL7 standards development and by ISO TC215 (Health Informatics). Published as the second edition in 2014, this standard is the authoritative source from which HL7 version 3.0 protocol specification standards derive their information-related content. It provides a stable conceptual foundation for representing clinical, administrative and operational healthcare information to support consistent semantics across standards.

Key Topics and Requirements

  • Reference model scope and purpose - establishes the RIM as the canonical conceptual model for HL7 v3 information content and semantics.
  • Model consistency and governance - documents the RIM release (Release 4) as the consensus view of HL7 working groups and international affiliates, intended to ensure uniform interpretation across specifications.
  • Normative foundation for HL7 v3 artifacts - the RIM is the primary source for information-related elements used in HL7 v3 protocol specifications and related information models.
  • Use within ISO TC215 - positions the RIM as a reference that can be applied when developing additional health informatics specifications at the international level.
  • Publication and distribution details - official ISO/HL7 publication with licensing and usage guidance for the electronic format (CD-ROM/HTML distribution).

(Note: this summary remains at a conceptual level consistent with the published scope; the standard itself contains the formal model and detailed normative content.)

Applications

ISO/HL7 21731:2014 is used to achieve and maintain semantic interoperability in healthcare IT:

  • Standards developers rely on the RIM as the baseline for creating and harmonizing HL7 v3 messaging, document and interface specifications.
  • EHR and clinical system architects use the model to align internal data models with internationally recognized semantics, simplifying integration and data exchange.
  • Software implementers and integrators map local data structures to HL7 v3-based specifications using the RIM as the authoritative guide.
  • Regulators and health information governance bodies reference the RIM when assessing conformity of information standards and interoperability strategies.
  • Researchers and educators consult the RIM for teaching or analyzing information model approaches in health informatics.

Related Standards

  • HL7 version 3 protocol specification standards (derive their information-related content from the RIM)
  • ISO TC215 health informatics standards (RIM serves as a referenced model for related specifications)
  • Other HL7 family standards and implementation guides that reference or extend HL7 v3 information content

Keywords: ISO/HL7 21731:2014, Reference Information Model, HL7 RIM Release 4, HL7 v3, health informatics standard, interoperability, EHR integration.

ISO/HL7 21731:2014 - Health informatics -- HL7 version 3 -- Reference information model -- Release 4ISO/HL7 21731:2014 - Health informatics -- HL7 version 3 -- Reference information model -- Release 4
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ISO/HL7 21731:2014 - Health informatics -- HL7 version 3 -- Reference information model -- Release 4
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Standards Content (Sample)


INTERNATIONAL ISO/HL7
STANDARD 21731
Second edition
2014-09-01
Health informatics — HL7 version 3 —
Reference information model —
Release 4
Informatique de santé — HL7 version 3 — Modèle d'information de
référence — Version 4
Reference number
©
ISO/HL7 2014
PDF disclaimer
PDF files may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, such files may be printed or viewed but shall
not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading a PDF file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create the PDF file(s) constituting this document can be found in the General Info relative to
the file(s); the PDF-creation parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the files are suitable for
use by ISO member bodies. In the unlikely event that a problem relating to them is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the
address given below.
This CD-ROM contains the publication ISO/HL7 21731:2014 in HTML.

©  ISO and HL7 2014
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO or HL7 at the respective
address below.
ISO copyright office Health Level Seven, Inc.
Case postale 56  CH-1211 Geneva 20  Switzerland Standards Publishing Department
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11 3300 Washtenaw Avenue, Suite 227
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47 Ann Arbor, MI 48104  US
...

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Frequently Asked Questions

ISO/HL7 21731:2014 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Health informatics - HL7 version 3 - Reference information model - Release 4". This standard covers: The Health Level Seven (HL7) Reference Information Model (RIM) is a static model of health and health care information as viewed within the scope of HL7 standards development activities. It is the combined consensus view of information from the perspective of the HL7 working group and the HL7 international affiliates. The RIM is the ultimate source from which all HL7 version 3.0 protocol specification standards draw their information-related content. In the context of ISO TC215 – Health Informatics, the RIM provides a reference model that has been and will likely continue to be used in developing further health informatics specifications.

The Health Level Seven (HL7) Reference Information Model (RIM) is a static model of health and health care information as viewed within the scope of HL7 standards development activities. It is the combined consensus view of information from the perspective of the HL7 working group and the HL7 international affiliates. The RIM is the ultimate source from which all HL7 version 3.0 protocol specification standards draw their information-related content. In the context of ISO TC215 – Health Informatics, the RIM provides a reference model that has been and will likely continue to be used in developing further health informatics specifications.

ISO/HL7 21731:2014 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 35.240.80 - IT applications in health care technology. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

ISO/HL7 21731:2014 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO/HL7 21731:2006. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

You can purchase ISO/HL7 21731:2014 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of ISO standards.

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