Looking for a library to process CDA (AKA HL7v3, A

Question

I am working on processing CDA messages for a Java application. CDA is yet another XML standard for sending medical information, it is closely related to CCD and HL7v3.

I have already reviewed the following libraries and found them lacking, promising, but lacking.

• JAXB - Feed it a CDA XSD and let it generate classes. It'll work, but it doesn't really provide much more than a Java layer to access the XML
• HL7 JavaSIG from Regenstreif - Promising, but half the project appears to be hidden under the label "encumbered" with little information about how to gain access or get that data through proper channels.
• MDHT - Early releases, tightly bound to the modeling tools in Eclipse. Seems like it'll work, but very steep learning curve.

I do have access to resources at HL7.org.

Any ideas for other libraries to look at? Communities to visit to ask experts?

Answer 1

You might find this project more focused (e.g. less learning curve than MDHT)

https://openhealthworkbench.projects.openhealthtools.org/

Answer 2

If you are looking for an excellent library for generating CCDs then I would suggest contacting Mirth Corp. I just finished working on a project with their CDAPI library. It is basically a wrapper around the Eclipse MDHT library for which they provide clinical data models that you can easily populate and then generate a document (or read/parse a CCD). Not sure about the price, but whatever it is it is worth it! This library will save you very much time and hassle trying to figure out the CCD specification/requirements on your own.

http://www.mirthcorp.com/community/wiki/display/MR/CDAPI+User+Guide

Answer 3

There is also jHL7v3lib which allow HL7 messages and CDA parsing / generation.

Answer 4

Two options are creeping to the top of my list:

MDHT - https://www.projects.openhealthtools.org/sf/projects/mdht/

Braid - http://braid.sourceforge.net

MDHT has a lot of extras on it beyond what one NEEDS to produce or consume and utilize CDA/CCD messages. Braid is purportedly proven, having participated in a few IHE Connectathons.

I'll keep posting here until I give up or find an answer.

It is infuriating that these standards are published without a useful reference library in a major language, but thats another thread.