The Standard

The HL7 FHIR at Scale Taskforce (FAST) is going international! As part of our mission to accelerate FHIR adoption and interoperability around the globe, FAST is taking its work beyond the U.S. to engage with the international health IT community. 

For the first time ever, FAST will be hosting a dedicated track at the HL7 FHIR Connectathon in Madrid, featuring two of our most critical and widely applicable Implementation Guides (IGs): 

🔐 FAST Security - https://build.fhir.org/ig/HL7/fhir-udap-security-ig/branches/main/ 
🆔 FAST Identity - https://build.fhir.org/ig/HL7/fhir-identity-matching-ig/ 

While these IGs were originally developed under the U.S. ONC's efforts to advance FHIR adoption, their guidance is intentionally broad and applicable globally. In fact, we're in the process of transitioning them to universal realm status, and your international input is vital. 

Why Participate? 
🌍 Help shape these key IGs to meet global needs 
🧪 Test and validate implementation with FAST experts
📚 Attend deep-dive breakout sessions focused on Security and Identity
🚀 Prepare for the future – FAST Security is a required standard for TEFCA FHIR exchange starting January 1, 2026 in the U.S. 

In the realm of healthcare, accurately managing patient identities across various systems is pivotal. The FHIR at Scale Taskforce (FAST) has developed the Interoperable Digital Identity and Patient Matching implementation guide (FAST Identity IG) to address these challenges effectively. This blog delves into the nuances of this implementation guide and encourages participation in its continuous improvement. 

Exploring the FAST Identity Implementation Guide 

The FAST Identity IG aims to enhance the FHIR patient $match operation for use in cross-organizational workflows. It serves as a comprehensive set of best practices not only for transactions directly invoking $match but also for other healthcare transactions that require robust identity matching and management.