HL7 Version 3 Standard: XML Implementation Technology Specification - V3 Structures for Wire Format Compatible Release 1 Data Types, Release 1

Data types are the basic building blocks used to construct messages, computerised patient record documents, business objects and their transactions. This resource is a bridge specification to allow a smooth transition between datatypes R1 and datatypes R2. It describes how HL7 V3 compliant messages can be expressed using XML and how the definition of the set of valid XML instance documents is derived from a specific HL7 Message Type.

This resource intends to be mostly wire-backwards-compatible to existing ITS Structures R1.1 but conformant (directly or indirectly) to abstract datatypes R2 and ISO harmonised datatypes. It is very similar to ITS R1.1, but it adopts all changes and new features that have been introduced since R1.

It is a prerequisite that readers have a general knowledge of XML technology. The reader also should be familiar with HL7 version 3 concepts – especially those related to message definition.

Main sections:

· Overview

· Backward compatibility

· Mapping to the XML instance

· Informal extensions

· Backwards and forwards compatibility

· The use of schema processors

· Appendix A: Example instance for an interaction

· Basic data types

· Generic data types

· Timing specification

· Annex: W3C XML Schema