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CDA

HL7 is currently working on CDA Release 2.1, an update/patch of the widely used CDA Release 2 specification. R2.1 has the following goals:

• To update the CDA model to use the latest version of the RIM (version 2.35r1, the last version on Data Types R1 which is used by CDA R2)
• To be wire compatible with R2. The XML Schema for R2.1 will be able to validate CDA R2 instances. This also means using datatypes R1, given that the use of datatypes R2 would result in a non-backwards compatible schema.
• To add a minimal set of the most commonly extended attributes like multipleBirthInd. Although present in the RIM, some attributes had been removed in the CDA R2 model, forcing implementers to use an extension to support the concept. In CDA R2.1 the standard RIM attributes will be re-introduced.

The creation of a normative R2.1 specification may take another year or two. Once R2.1 has been finalized work will start on R3, which is likely to be based on FHIR Resources instead of the HL7 v3 RIM. Such work will largely depend on the maturity level of the various FHIR components at that point in time.

HL7 version 2

After HL7 v2.9, HL7 will move to a different way of publishing HL7 version 2. Up to now the main method for publishing v2.x is in the form of Word documents, and to do so only after a multi-year ballot cycle. Especially of we look at FHIR (HL7s latest standard) where HTML documentation is generated from a database, and which uses an annual ballot cycle, there is room for improvement when it comes to the HL7 version 2 publication process.

Recently HL7 has decided to start a project to study how the documentation process of HL7v2 could be optimized, and it was decied to move to an annual release. So after 2.9 there won't be a 2.10, 2.11, etc. - there will be a 2106 release, 2017 release etc. instead. This is only partly because of the optimalization of the v2 publishing process, it also has to do with the fact that most vendors implement "v2" (a blend of various v2.x artefacts) rather than any specific version.

Even when FHIR is 'hot' right now - standards like HL7v2 and CDA are alive and kicking ;-)

-Rene

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Index of columns:

• EHDS Governance Models (May 06, 2026)
• Get ready for EHDS implementation - EHDS-on-FHIR training course (Apr 10, 2026)
• EHDS will have an impact well before 2029 (Feb 13, 2026)
• EHDS checklist for application vendors and provider organizations (Nov 11, 2025)
• New EHDS-on-FHIR training course (Oct 26, 2025)
• Gender Identity in Interoperability Standards (Aug 25, 2025)
• FHIR and Narrative content (Jun 11, 2025)
• 6 Rules for Successful Interoperability Projects (Feb 13, 2025)
• Deploying FHIR at Scale (Dec 18, 2024)
• 9 Key Problems When Connecting to 400+ Servers (Sep 25, 2024)
• FHIR for HL7v2 experts (Aug 18, 2023)
• The FHIR open license (Feb 18, 2022)
• Bye bye IHE XDS and CDA. (Sep 01, 2021)
• Combining the best of IHE XDS with HL7 FHIR (Jun 27, 2019)
• FHIR DevDays and the year in review (Dec 27, 2018)
• Creation and Curation of FHIR Profiles - process and governance (Dec 14, 2017)
• Impact of the GDPR on the use of interoperability standards (Jun 27, 2017)
• Next XDS Release (Oct 27, 2016)
• Five years of FHIR (Aug 11, 2016)
• Update from the trenches on CDA R2.1/R3 and HL7v2. (Oct 15, 2015)
• Most often implemented IHE Profiles (Jun 08, 2015)
• Mapping HL7v2 messages to FHIR. (Apr 13, 2015)
• Recent and Future developments of the DICOM standard (Mar 06, 2014)
• Documenting the history of HL7 (Sep 03, 2013)
• Interoperability Standards - the no-sales pitch (Jul 09, 2013)
• CDA Implementation Guides - (not) invented here (Apr 17, 2013)
• Usage of IHE Profiles (Feb 25, 2013)
• 10 year anniversary - Dutch Ringholm HL7 v2 training courses. (Feb 19, 2013)
• HL7 Connectathons (Sep 09, 2012)
• Frequency of use of HL7 message types (Jul 24, 2012)
• Reflections on the HL7 membership model - the affiliate life cycle (Dec 28, 2011)
• RFH (Resources for Health): HL7 version 3 taken to the next step (Aug 18, 2011)
• Timezone Hotel (Mar 29, 2011)
• The changing role of HL7 country organizations (Jul 16, 2010)
• How to lower the hurdle for HL7 v3 implementers (Jan 21, 2010)
• The HL7 roadmap for CDA R3 and the CCD (Jan 17, 2009)
• HL7 based Tree inventory system (Jan 30, 2007)
• Workflow Bribery (Sep 15, 2006)

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