30-second summary
- Parse non-standard compliant HL7 v2.x without breaking routes
- Convert HL7 into XML so mapping and transforms are predictable
- Preserve unknown segments and extended fields for downstream use
- Build, test and deploy routes using the eiConsole → eiPlatform workflow
Why Lenient HL7 Parsing Matters
In production environments, HL7 often includes custom Z-segments, invented segments, or vendor-specific tweaks. Tools that require perfect dictionary compliance can fail on these messages, which creates brittle interfaces and operational noise. PilotFish’s Lenient HL7 Parser is designed to keep processing moving while still capturing the full HL7 payload for transformation and validation.
What You Will See in This Demo
Select HL7 version in the Transformation Module
Lenient parsing is enabled through the HL7 v2.x transformation selection in eiConsole. This makes it simple to start parsing HL7 that “looks like HL7” even when it includes extensions.
Example 1: Standard HL7 Plus a Custom Segment
You’ll load an HL7 input that contains a custom segment that is not in the HL7 data dictionary. Instead of failing, the parser captures the custom segment so it appears in the parsed output and can be transformed or mapped.
Example 2: Modified Segment Definitions and Extended Sub-components
Next you’ll review an HL7 message where a segment does not match the standard vocabulary definition. The output shows how the extra fields, components and sub-components are still captured so they can be manipulated downstream.
Standardize Non-standard HL7 for Downstream Systems
Once HL7 is reliably parsed, you can normalize it into XML and then map it into target formats, databases, APIs, or canonical models. This is especially useful when you support multiple hospitals, labs, payers, EHRs or device vendors that each “bend” HL7 in different ways.
Build HL7 Routes with the PilotFish Platform
If you want to turn parsing into an always-on interface, PilotFish supports the standard workflow used across its video demos: build and test in eiConsole IDE then deploy configurations for unattended execution in eiPlatform with production visibility in eiDashboard.
Production Deployment Note
After you build and test routes in eiConsole, the same configurations can be deployed for unattended execution in eiPlatform with hot deploy support and operational visibility in eiDashboard.
Works great in Docker containers.
Security, Observability and Governance
- Audit-friendly route configuration and repeatable deployments via file-based configs
- Production monitoring and reporting via eiDashboard and eiPlatform runtime execution
- Patterns that support environment separation for test and production workloads
Why PilotFish for HL7 Parsing and Interoperability
- Designed for the HL7 you actually receive, including extended and non-compliant variants
- Faster build-test-iterate cycles using a guided workflow inside eiConsole
- Easier operations once deployed, with monitoring and reporting available in the eiDashboard
FAQ
What is a lenient HL7 parser?
A lenient HL7 parser reads HL7 v2.x messages even when they include non-standard HL7 segments, extra fields, or vendor tweaks that break strict tools.
Can PilotFish parse custom Z-segments in HL7?
Yes, PilotFish supports HL7 Z-segments and other custom HL7 segments so you can still extract, map and route the extended data.
What HL7 versions does this parser support?
The parser supports HL7 v2.x parsing across common versions, helping teams normalize mixed feeds from labs, hospitals, EHRs and devices.
Does PilotFish convert HL7 to XML for mapping?
Yes, PilotFish eiConsole can convert HL7 to XML to make HL7 mapping, data transformation and validation easier and more consistent
Why does HL7 parsing fail in production integrations?
Most failures come from HL7 interface variability like custom segments, repeating fields, unexpected components or messages that are not fully standards compliant.
Full Transcript
This is a demonstration of the eiConsole for Healthcare’s HL7 lenient parsing capability. Many systems and organizations require or produce non-standards compliant HL7 messages.
HL7 Middleware that is lacking a lenient parsing capability is crippled in these all too common scenarios. It renders the software useless.
While other products may choke on these non-standard HL7 messages, the eiConsole for Healthcare’s lenient HL7 Parser can parse unknown segments capturing the data for subsequent transformation and manipulation.
Select HL7 Version
The eiConsole’s leading parsing capability is exposed and enabled simply by selecting the HL7 Version 2.x Transformer from the Transformation module drop-down. Out-of-the-box, this component now has the capability to parse anything that looks remotely like an HL7 Version 2.X message.
Standard & Custom HL7 Segment Conversions
Let’s take a look at two examples. In the first example, we’ll choose an HL7 input file that includes a custom HL7 segment that’s not a part of the HL7 data dictionary.
Here’s the input to the process. You’ll see we have what is largely a standard HL7 message with one invented custom segment with a segment identifier, ABC.
Most tools will simply fail when trying to convert this into an XML or parsed representation. However, with lenient parsing, we can see how we can convert the message to XML including our custom segments.
Let’s look at one more example. This time we’ll choose an HL7 document; where instead of including a completely unknown segment, we have a modified segment. It doesn’t match the definition in the HL7 vocabulary.
Let’s take a look at the input. Here at the end of the last segment, we see a complex set of fields, components, and sub-components that are not part of the standard.
Reviewing the output of the transformation module, we can see how that data is captured so it could be mapped to other data formats and further manipulated downstream.
Standardize All Your Messages
As we’ve shown the lenient parson capability of the eiConsole for Healthcare fills a vital gap in interoperability for health.
Organizations that have customized HL7 to suit their very specific requirements and as a result produced non-standards compliant HL7 will now be able to communicate with all entities in the healthcare ecosystem.
If you’re curious about the software features, free trial, or even a demo – we’re ready to answer any and all questions. Please call us at 813 864 8662 or click the button.
X12, chartered by the American National Standards Institute for more than 35 years, develops and maintains EDI standards and XML schemas.