How to Get a Patient's Health Record in 2026?
You'd think I'd tell you about APIs or tools. The key is in understanding legal coverage.
Medblocks Blog
We believe healthcare deserves better software. Follow our journey building open infrastructure for the future of health.
I Built Something A Few Weeks Ago
My mother-in-law needed a clinical trial. My wife and I, both doctors, had a hard time finding the right one. I decided to try to solve it.
What If We're Overcomplicating Healthcare IT?
I make the case that SQL could be the solution to simplifying the layers of complexity in health data architecture. This is a written version of my talk at EHRCON 25.
Couchbase FHIR vs HAPI FHIR: Who is faster?
Choosing a self-hosted FHIR server? This benchmark compares Couchbase FHIR and HAPI FHIR under real-world load from 100 to 1,000 concurrent users. Discover which handles higher throughput, maintains lower latency, and where each architecture hits its breaking point. Data-driven insights for healthcare infrastructure decisions.
I Am Terrible at Directions
But that hasn't mattered in years.
CDS Hooks Matter More Than You Think
CDS Hooks are more than alerts: they’re real-time EHR webhooks that can surface a card and launch a SMART on FHIR app, letting you run workflows outside the EHR. The key is relevance + low latency, and rising adoption.
No More Service Partners
We tried scaling with service partners, but it didn't work. Learn what went wrong, how we're fixing it, and why we're returning to our lean in-house team.
Couchbase + FHIR for healthcare at scale | DHH Podcast
In this Digital Health Hackers episode, I discuss the Couchbase FHIR Server CE with Krishna Prasad Doddi, exploring our collaborative build and insights.
The $10 Million Mistake Toyota Refused to Make
What can car factories from the 70s teach us about health data exchange?
Why do AI Agents Fail on EHR Data?
Benchmark results and a failure deep-dive expose the real gap in healthcare data: missing semantic models, and the value-set workarounds they force.
What is openEHR and why does healthcare need it?
Tired of EHR vendors holding your data hostage? openEHR separates clinical meaning from software, ensuring health records outlive any application.
XDS Explained: Build a Working Document Exchange on Your Laptop
A simple XDS tutorial: understand Registry vs Repository and run the core XDS flow end-to-end with the NIST XDS Toolkit, Docker, and Postman.
Building Clinician-First Precision Medicine Infrastructure
In conversation with Dr. Videha Sharma, CEO of Fava Health, Sidharth discusses the future of precision medicine and the technology infrastructure needed.
Catalonia's openEHR CDR for 8 Million People
Catalonia wanted an openEHR Clinical Data Repository for 8 million people. Medblocks worked with IBM and vitagroup to design the sync layer for hospitals.
Couchbase x Medblocks - Building a NoSQL FHIR Server
We walk you through building a FHIR server on top of Couchbase's NoSQL database, covering challenges, technical decisions, architecture, and local setup.
Foundational openEHR: Archetype Classes and Lifecycle
Develop applications that suit your clinical needs with a deeper understanding of openEHR Archetype Classes and Clinical Knowledge Manager lifecycle.
Could FHIR Work as an Alternative to XDS?
Explore how FHIR compares to XDS in healthcare data sharing and what it means for interoperability between hospitals and clinics.
What Does FHIR Versioning Mean for Your Systems
Learn how FHIR uses semantic versioning to manage updates, ensure compatibility and support smooth transitions between healthcare data standards like R4 and R5.
How Is FHIR Being Used Around the World
Curious how FHIR is used and who’s adopting it? Here are real-world examples of how FHIR is reshaping healthcare across the globe.
A History of HL7: From Terminals to APIs
A journey through 30 years of healthcare interoperability from costly 1980s interfaces to modern FHIR APIs following HL7's evolution to web-friendly resources.
The Creation of FHIR and Why it Matters for Healthcare
Learn when FHIR was created, why HL7 developed it, and how it transformed healthcare data interoperability across the industry.
Understanding the 4 Levels of Healthcare Interoperability
From structured data to policy alignment, explore the 4 levels of interoperability and why they matter for compliance, care, and innovation.
FHIR Resources: How Healthcare Data Is Organized
Understand how FHIR resources like Patient, Observation, and Medication enable smooth, standardized healthcare data exchange.
GE HealthCare x Medblocks - Simplifying Cancer Care Decisions
Here we explore a real-world project we did with GE HealthCare, where we tackled the challenges of data normalization in oncology care.
EHR Sidecars and their History
EHR sidecars have a long history of filling gaps that core EHRs couldn't. Learn how sidecars started, evolved, and why they're still relevant today.
Interoperability Runs on Open Source, Not Standards
While open standards set the rules, open source gets the work done. Discuss choosing tools, handling semantics and making health systems interoperable.
10 Tools Every FHIR Developer Must Know
Breaking down the Top 10 FHIR tools every developer should know in 2025, from building and hosting servers to validating, profiling, and testing data.
12 FHIR Resources Everyone Should Know
In this article we’re breaking down the 12 most essential FHIR resources you need to know when starting out.
Unified Patient Records from 16+ EMRs with MatchRite’s Common Data Engine
In episode 17 of Digital Health Hackers Podcast, Sidharth speaks to Christopher Jones, CEO of MatchRite Care, a patient-centered unified health record portal.
Three Ways to Build Your FHIR Server
Assess three approaches to implementing RESTful FHIR servers - Facade, Synchronization and Hybrid. Also explore FHIR Documents and Messaging paradigms.
Get Your Patient App Live on Epic in 48 Hours
Deploy your patient-facing FHIR app across Epic hospitals in just 48 hours. We demystify Epic's Automatic Client Record Distribution process easily.
What Does It Take to Build a FHIR-First EHR? | Aidbox
What does it take to build a truly modern EHR? Conversation with Health Samurai CTO Nikolai Ryzhikov exploring the path to modular, FHIR-first platforms.
Learn to Build a Python Facade and Make Your EHR FHIR-Compliant
A 'facade' could solve your legacy data's FHIR-compatibility woes. This tutorial shows how to create a FHIR Facade on a Postgres database using Python.
Build FHIR Applications in Java with HAPI FHIR
This hands-on guide shows how to code using the HAPI FHIR library in Java, create real FHIR apps, work with Resources and interact with REST APIs.
How to Work with FHIR REST APIs using Python
This guide explores performing real-world operations like creating, reading, updating, and deleting patient data on a FHIR Server using Python.
Announcing Medblocks openFHIR: An open-source engine that bridges openEHR and FHIR
Introducing openFHIR, an open-source bidirectional mapping engine converting between openEHR and FHIR standards. Built on FHIRConnect, Apache 2.0.
FHIR Questionnaire Item Types: All Question & Answer Types Explained with Examples
Explore every FHIR Questionnaire item type, from simple strings and booleans to complex codings and references. Includes JSON examples for each answer type.
openEHR vs FHIR and other health IT standards
Health IT has various standards, and choosing the right one is often confusing. Understand the differences clearly to select the right standard.
An Intuitive Guide to AQL (Archetype Query Language)
This article simplifies AQL (Archetype Query Language) by breaking it down into basic concepts with examples suitable for even beginner openEHR levels.
Host An Authenticated EHRbase Server In The Cloud In Under 15 Mins
This article provides a step-by-step guide to hosting an authenticated EHRbase server in the cloud and exposing its REST APIs over HTTPS using Traefik.
What are openEHR Archetypes and Templates? A Beginner’s Guide
Have you been confused by all the openEHR terminology? What even are archetypes and templates? Read on to find out.
Building the SMART on Epic Application: Coding Tutorial
Apply fundamentals from 'Patient App Integration with SMART on Epic' and code a fully functional application to build more SMART apps of your own.
Patient App Integration with SMART on Epic - How To Guide - The Fundamentals
Healthcare apps rely on SMART on FHIR, a framework transforming healthcare. Learn how it works and build your SMART-powered health app from scratch.
How to build your first FHIR application using AI in 30 minutes
With LLMs and AI coding tools, building healthcare apps is no longer just for seasoned programmers. An introduction to building FHIR web apps for beginners.
FHIR Questionnaire vs Composition: Which Do You Need?
One organizes existing health data and the other gathers new inputs. Which is which? Do you need both? Read on to find out.
Lessons from E-Patient Dave’s Journey and the Changes We Need
E-Patient Dave's journey highlights the power of patient data access, collaboration, and open standards like FHIR and openEHR in transforming healthcare.
How we Optimized Patient Search Speed by 90% Using Postgres Text Search
Leveraging PostgreSQL’s native full-text search, we cut query times from seconds to milliseconds, giving clinicians instant access to critical patient data.
Catalonia’s Digital Health Revolution: Jordi Piera on Building an Open Platform
Catalonia is set to make history by building the world's first open-source, interoperable unified health record under Director Jordi Piera's guidance.
Designing for Doctors: A FHIR-Driven Approach to Patient Management That Clinicians Actually Use
Explore Medblocks' patient management solution powered by FHIR APIs, optimizing hospital workflows with user-centered design and vendor-neutral approach.
FHIR Questionnaire Resource: Structure, QuestionnaireResponse & How It Works
Understand the FHIR Questionnaire resource from scratch, structure, item types, QuestionnaireResponse, and hands-on exploration using free NLM open-source tools.
Why FHIR Matters: Grahame Grieve’s Mission to End Data Fragmentation
Grahame Grieve, "father of FHIR," joins the Digital Health Hackers podcast with updates on global adoption and ongoing stumbling blocks to data sharing.
The Mind Behind etherCIS Takes on Healthcare’s Disconnected Data Landscape
Healthcare technology thought leader Christian Chevalley joins Digital Health Hackers podcast, sharing insights on connecting healthcare's disparate data.
How We Turned a Chaotic, High-Information-Density Interface into a Masterpiece of Functionality
Explore redesigning a user-friendly EHR interface for ophthalmology, emphasizing collaboration with domain experts and iterative design improvements.
Why We're Reinventing the EHR
Traditional healthcare software development has significant drawbacks. A platform with standardized features and extensible features might be the right answer.
How to Enable FHIR Profile Validation with HAPI FHIR JPA Server
Walkthrough on how to configure HAPI FHIR to do profile validation for you, and few fundamental concepts of FHIR Profiles.
FHIR vs. Traditional HL7: What Makes This Standard So Different?
Discover why FHIR is changing healthcare IT. Learn its advantages over HL7 v2, C-CDA and v3, its rapid adoption, and simplified data exchange.
How to Setup Production-Ready ERPNext Healthcare on Kubernetes
ERPNext handles almost all healthcare enterprise requirements. With its low-code, open-source nature, you can easily suggest improvements or customize it.
What is FHIR? A Beginner's Guide
Learn 5 Key HL7 FHIR Concepts - Resources, Data Elements, Profiles, Exchange Paradigms, and Implementation Guides.
How to Create an EHRbase Plugin
Extend your openEHR Server! Learn how to create an EHRbase plugin that can make additional calls to the database and create a transactional outbox.
FHIR CDS Hook Service: How to Create One in 10 mins!
Follow along and create your first HL7 FHIR CDS Hooks Service using NodeJS and the CDS Hooks Sandbox in less than 10 minutes.
HL7 CDS Hooks Explained: How EHRs Integrate Real-Time Clinical Decision Support
Learn how HL7 CDS Hooks lets EHRs call external APIs for real-time clinical alerts, covering drug interactions, pre-authorization, and quality measures. With code examples.
Which Health IT Standard to Pick: FHIR, openEHR, or OMOP?
Each domain has its own best-suited standard: FHIR, openEHR, and OMOP respectively. There's an art to picking the standard for the data use case.
What is a FHIR Terminology Service?
The FHIR terminology service offers functions derived from a collection of CodeSystem, ValueSet, and ConceptMap resources.
Breaking Down the Healthcare Giant into 3 Distinct Business Models
Explore Clayton M. Christensen's vision for healthcare in "The Innovator's Prescription" – a groundbreaking approach to improving patient care.
What is an Enterprise Master Patient Index (EMPI)?
Learn how Enterprise Master Patient Indexes (EMPI) ensure accurate patient data management across healthcare systems.
How To Create Your First FHIR Resource Like A Pro
Learn to create FHIR patient resources: Navigate HL7, use JSON schemas and code with VS Code for seamless development and healthcare interoperability.
Exploring FHIR Paradigms: Case Studies Across the Globe
FHIR boosts healthcare data exchange, linking clinical, admin, and research via EHR, REST, Documents, Messages, and Services.
Volume based care to Value based care in India
India's PM-JAY aims for value-based care with bundled pricing, tech access, and quality incentives for better health outcomes.
Migrating Legacy Data to FHIR at scale using ETL's
ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) moves data from legacy systems to FHIR, using Apache Debezium and Nifi for syncing databases in FHIR format.
The missing step to complete healthcare digitization
Medblocks digitizes India's healthcare, integrating EHRs with Ayushman Bharat, targeting skill gaps and advancing structured data.
Case Study - Implementing ABDM for the Government of Andhra Pradesh
Medblocks implemented all 3 ABDM milestones for Andhra Pradesh's Health Ministry, overcoming API, webhook, encryption, and FHIR transformation challenges.
ABDM: Ushering in the UPI moment of healthcare
ABDM digitalizes India's healthcare with health IDs, interoperability, and data security, aiming for universal coverage via digital platforms.
Designing openEHR templates using the Archetype Designer
openEHR standardizes health data with archetypes and templates for interoperability. Templates are built from Archetypes using the Archetype Designer Tool.
How to Use the openEHR Clinical Knowledge Manager
A beginner-friendly guide to navigating the openEHR CKM or Clinical Knowledge Manager, including searching, viewing and downloading clinical artefacts.
Extensions to SNOMED CT
SNOMED allows creating extensions for missing terms, adhering to specific rules. Extensions can map to concepts or require post-coordination with namespace.
Understanding the openEHR Clinical Knowledge Manager
In this comprehensive guide to Clinical Knowledge Manager, understand how CKM drives openEHR's core principles of standardization and interoperability.
SMART on FHIR-Frontend Flows
SMART on FHIR enables health apps to connect with EHRs securely, including OAuth2 and OpenID for authorization. It supports standalone and EHR app launches.
What is a Simple Refset in SNOMED CT?
Refsets in SNOMED CT allow subsets for specific use cases, enabling standard compliance and external sharing with mandatory regeneration post-release.
CMS Interoperability and Patient Access Final Rule
CMS's Patient Access Rule mandates HL7 FHIR API for data access, provider directory, payer-to-payer exchange, and daily federal-state data exchanges.
SMART on FHIR Authentication for Backend Services
SMART on FHIR defines two ways in which clients can authenticate - symmetric (shared secret) and asymmetric (public key) client authentication.
FHIR poised to gain center stage in the US
FHIR leads healthcare interoperability, enabling secure data exchange. CMS/ONC initiatives like Blue Button 2.0 and BCDA utilize FHIR for Medicare data.
The Story of Medblocks
Medblocks evolved from blockchain to address healthcare data challenges using openEHR, FHIR, SNOMED, LOINC standards and OAuth2.
Case study - Global Portable Health Clinic
PHC system by Kyushu University & Grameen Communications uses eHealth and telemedicine, integrates openEHR and FHIR, serving 45,000+ patients since 2010.
The SNOMED CT Browser Explained
Use SNOMED CT Browser for exploring clinical concepts, synonyms, relationships, and semantic tags. Supports ECL for advanced search and MRCM validation.
Introducing Medblocks UI
Medblocks UI, open-source alternative to Better EHR Studio for auto-generating forms from openEHR templates, now available under Apache 2 license.
Setting up a SNOMED CT Terminology Server using Hermes
Set up a SNOMED CT terminology server using Docker and Hermes: Clone Hermes, index SNOMED CT files, execute index.sh, start server with docker-compose up.
Case Study - Vijay Williams Covid Care, India
Dr. Sidharth and team developed a Covid care application for Dr. Sunil Gokavi's facility during the second wave, enhancing patient data analysis.
Frontend Frameworks - Why you should reconsider
Exploring web components for front-end development, moving from Vue to Svelte for Medblocks UI, focusing on lit-html for framework-independent UI.