hData is a specification for capturing, managing, and exchanging electronic health data.

Current electronic health data standards are complex, hard to implement, and difficult to manage, especially for web centric and mobile developers. hData is a simple, flexible framework that addresses these issues and lays the foundation for efficient health IT technologies.

The hData specifications have been submitted to Health Layer 7 (HL7) and and the Object Management Group (OMG) for standadization. The hData Record Format is on the normative track at HL7 and has recently passed the DSTU ballot. More information can be found in the Standardization page.

hData is designed for ease of implementation and improved efficiency by reducing the size of the data set, implementing a single way to represent data, and using standard web best practices. Crucial to achieving these design goals is a clear separation of content and exchange specifications. For this, the HL7 hData Record Format defines tbe concept of a hData Content Profile (HCP), which allows the specification for a detailed content model (including syntax, semantics, and behavioral models) for a given business use case.