VHA Issue Paper: VHA Issue Paper: HL7 Methodology DiscussionHL7 Methodology Discussion

11 January 200111 January 2001

Government Projects SIGGovernment Projects SIG

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Context SettingContext Setting

Issue paper based on our Issue paper based on our participation and observationsparticipation and observations

Forwarded to M&M and limited Forwarded to M&M and limited distribution 2-3 weeks agodistribution 2-3 weeks ago

Not just a Government Projects Not just a Government Projects issueissue– We want to hear your commentsWe want to hear your comments

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ObjectivesObjectives

Ensure that Veterans Health Ensure that Veterans Health Administration can continue to Administration can continue to reap maximum benefits from HL7 reap maximum benefits from HL7

Minimize risks that we see as HL7 Minimize risks that we see as HL7 3.x moves forward3.x moves forward

Take stock and apply lessons Take stock and apply lessons learned from the Version 3 learned from the Version 3 processesprocesses

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IssuesIssues

MethodologicalMethodological– Focus and abstraction level of the RIMFocus and abstraction level of the RIM

– Role and ability to apply RIM to non-Role and ability to apply RIM to non-messaging technologiesmessaging technologies

NotationalNotational– Style guide practices Style guide practices

– Meta-model constraintsMeta-model constraints

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ObservationsObservations

VHA is having a difficult time relating to the new RIMVHA is having a difficult time relating to the new RIM Not all current HL7 practices are reflected in the MDFNot all current HL7 practices are reflected in the MDF Some style guide constraints result in counterintuitive Some style guide constraints result in counterintuitive

representationsrepresentations Modeling guidance has not kept current with industryModeling guidance has not kept current with industry

– Profiles for UMLProfiles for UML– Role namesRole names– Constraint representationConstraint representation– MethodsMethods

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RecommendationsRecommendations

Form a [sub-]committee toForm a [sub-]committee to– make current HL7 methodologiesmake current HL7 methodologies– address lessons learnedaddress lessons learned– incorporate industry best practicesincorporate industry best practices– address UML revisionsaddress UML revisions– extend the methodology to support extend the methodology to support

CDA and Templates activitiesCDA and Templates activities

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Discussion...Discussion...

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Motion...Motion...

I move that the Government I move that the Government Project SIG charges M&M with Project SIG charges M&M with standing up a committee to refresh standing up a committee to refresh the MDF with respect to:the MDF with respect to:– issues of the paperissues of the paper– current UML practicescurrent UML practices– incorporate Templates and CDA workincorporate Templates and CDA work