Submitting HL7 Immunization Data to MIIC

There are several options for health care providers to securely submit HL7 immunization data to the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC): PHIN-MS, manual upload, and secure FTP.

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On this page:
Background
Initial steps
Transport options
Resources

Background

HL7, or Health Level Seven, is a standard messaging protocol used to exchange data between health care data systems. Health care providers have three options for the secure transmission of HL7 messages to MIIC: PHIN-MS, manual upload, and secure FTP. All three transport options meet Meaningful Use Incentives and MIIC requirements.

Initial steps

  1. In order to submit HL7 data to MIIC you must be enrolled in the registry with a current, signed MIIC User Agreement on file. To enroll, contact your MIIC regional coordinator.

  2. Next, review the "HL7 specifications for MIIC" document to ensure that your HL7 file meets MIIC requirements.

  3. After reviewing these specifications and the transport options outlined below, contact the MDH MIIC Help Desk. Let them know your clinic name, address, organization type, and average number of immunizations administered per week to begin the process of submitting and testing HL7 file submissions.

Note that it may take several weeks to several months to thoroughly test HL7 data submissions to MIIC. Once testing is complete, HL7 data submissions to MIIC must be daily or weekly. Any interval greater than one week will not ensure timely data.

Transport options

PHIN-MS

PHIN-MS is a software available from the CDC that securely sends and receives encrypted data over the Internet to public health information systems using Electronic Business Extensible Markup Language (ebXML) technology.

Batch/Real Time
  • Batch or Real Time
Recommended For
  • Medium- and high-volume providers administering more than 50 shots per week.
Considerations
  • Currently the only option that supports real-time HL7 transfer to MIIC.
  • Requires provider IT staff to install and configure PHIN-MS server at the provider site, with remote assistance from MDH IT staff.
  • If batch, requires daily or weekly submissions.
  • Once set up, little manual intervention is required for ongoing data submissions (with the exception of adding/editing CVX codes as necessary).

 

Manual Upload
Manual upload of HL7 data in MIIC requires the provider to sign into the MIIC application and upload the HL7 file directly within the registry.

Batch/Real Time
  • Batch only
Recommended For
  • All providers
Considerations
  • Easy but involves a staff person.
  • Cannot be automated with scripts or programming.
  • Not real-time entry into MIIC.
  • Does not require file encryption.
  • Requires daily or weekly batch submissions.

 

Secure FTP
Secure FTP, or file transport protocol, requires the provider to encrypt the HL7 data file and place on the MDH FTP server for processing by MIIC staff.

Batch/Real Time
  • Batch only
Recommended For
  • All providers
Considerations
  • Easy but involves a staff person.
  • Can be automated with scripts and programming on the provider end but still requires manual processing by MIIC staff.
  • Requires file encryption.
  • Not real-time entry into MIIC.
  • Requires daily or weekly batch submissions.

 

Resources

  • GnuPG Encryption Software
    Free implementation of the OpenPGP standard that allows you to encrypt and sign your data and communications. PGP may also be used but is no longer free. Attention: Non-MDH link
  • CDC PHIN Messaging System
    Information about the Public Health Information Network Messaging System (PHIN-MS) developed by the CDC. Attention: Non-MDH link

Updated Tuesday, 04-Oct-2011 14:37:55 CDT