The model defines a set of functions and security features that may be present in PHR systems and offers guidance to facilitate data exchange among PHRs or with electronic health records systems. The model is designed to help consumers compare PHRs and select one appropriate for their needs.
A draft standard for trial use enables the industry to work with a stable standard for up to two years and refine it so it can become an official standard. This means consumers can start requesting functions within the draft standard and vendors can start incorporating such functions in their products. The functions also can be incorporated into PHR certification programs.
The PHR Working Group of Ann Arbor, Mich.-based HL7 will continue to work on reviewing comments received during the balloting process and anticipates a finalized draft standard being available by February. The PHR functional model is available at hl7.org.
HL7 also is working on developing portability standards for PHRs in cooperation with America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Such standards will enable health plan members to move their personal health data from payer-sponsored PHRs when their coverage changes. For details, see healthdatamanagement.com.
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