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Introduction

This site aims to offer a central point for the documentation of the KMEHR normative elements. It mainly focuses on the most recent version of the norm.

This site replaces the historic KMEHR site sponsored by the CHU of Charleroi, which is no longer being maintained. Most of the content of the present site, however, comes from this historic site.

What is KMEHR?

KMEHR was introduced in 2002. It is an implementation of the fourth recommendation of the Belgian Healthcare Telematics Commission, enabling the exchange of structured clinical information.

KMEHR is mainly composed of the following elements:

  • an XML schema that defines a general and simple message grammar,
  • a set of recognized medical transactions compliant with this grammar,
  • a set of reference tables whose values may be used within KMEHR messages.

Those core elements have been complemented by a set of web services implemented in concrete initiatives for the standardized exchange of data between systems.

The Migration Formats describe specific uses of the KMEHR core elements.

Concerning new message standards

If you intend or your organization intends to create a new definition of a structured message, it is important to follow the right guidelines. Read more about this here.

Concerning terminology and semantics

The importance of terminologies is broader than its implementation in structured messages.

The Terminology Center within the FPS health, food chain safety and environment plays a vital role in the management, creation and distribution of terminologies concerning health. The center is also specifically active in the management and distribution of SNOMED-CT within Belgium. SNOMED-CT is the principal national reference terminology.

As such, they are your first point of contact concerning any semantic question: Terminology Center. 

Site overview

The organization of the site follows the core concepts of the norm.

  • The Basic section describes the XSchema structure as well as the related basic principles and concepts.
  • The Transactions section documents the recognized transactions.
  • The Tables section provides an overview of the reference tables used.
  • The Web services section provides the definition of a minimal set of services to support the transactions exchange.

Additionally, you can find a quick overview as well as a tutorial in the Support section.

We strongly recommend that you begin your reading with the overview and basic sections before tackling the more specialized sections.

You can access to the retam exports page here.