I need a seasoned integrator to wire up OpenEMR with our growing fleet of laboratory analyzers and external LIS systems so that data flows cleanly in both directions and lands exactly where clinicians expect it. Core goals • HL7 v2.x bidirectional message exchange that pushes orders out of OpenEMR and pulls results back in with status acknowledgements. • Real-time lab result importing that automatically updates the patient’s chart, triggers notifications, and shows up inside the Patient Portal. • Compatibility bridges for a handful of non-HL7 analyzers that only speak proprietary serial or CSV formats. Key functional requirements 1. Accurate patient matching even when demographic fields are incomplete or slightly different. 2. Order & result mapping with a central dictionary that links each analyzer’s native codes to LOINC/CPT and our internal panels. 3. Result parsing → automatic posting → visualisation in flowsheets, trend graphs, and printable PDF reports. 4. Tight bidirectional order/result status synchronisation so technologists can track pending, in-process, verified and corrected states from either side. 5. Configurable interface settings we can manage without touching source code (e.g., port numbers, message delimiters, timeouts). Additional touches I’m after • Automated report generation for physicians, including cumulative results and longitudinal trends. • Order tracking dashboard that highlights any samples still outstanding. • Patient-facing result delivery inside the OpenEMR portal the moment results reach a “final” status. Acceptance criteria – All messages validated against the HL7 spec we supply and logged for audit. – A demo sandbox showing at least two analyzers (one HL7, one non-HL7) exchanging orders/results with OpenEMR. – Full source code, interface configuration files, and deployment guide delivered at hand-off. If you have already connected OpenEMR (or a similar EHR) to analyzers and LIS platforms, especially where mixed HL7 and proprietary protocols coexist, I’d love to review your approach and timeline. Scope & Architecture Integrates OpenEMR with laboratory analyzers and/or a Laboratory Information System (LIS) using HL7 v2.x (common versions: 2.3–2.5.1). Typical paths: Analyzer → Middleware (ASTM/serial/TCP) → HL7 (MLLP) → OpenEMR OpenEMR (orders) → HL7 → Middleware/LIS → Analyzer → HL7 results → OpenEMR Transport options: MLLP over TCP/IP, file drop (watched folders), SFTP, or serial (RS-232/ASTM) via gateway. Often uses an engine (e.g., Mirth/NextGen Connect) to route, transform, and monitor messages. Core HL7 Workflows Electronic Orders (optional but recommended) ORM^O01 or OML^O21 from OpenEMR to LIS/analyzer. Includes test codes, priority, collection info, and ordering provider. Results Reporting ORU^R01 from LIS/middleware to OpenEMR. Can carry final, preliminary, corrected results and PDF attachments (e.g., via OBX with Base64 or file references). Acknowledgements ACK for positive/negative delivery confirmation at each hop. Required HL7 Segments (Typical) MSH: sending/receiving apps, message type/version, timestamps. PID: patient identifiers (MRN), name, DOB, sex; map to OpenEMR patient. PV1 (optional for outpatient): encounter/visit context. ORC: common order control (placer/filler order numbers, status). OBR: order detail (requested test/panel, specimen, collection times). OBX: one per analyte/result; value, units, reference ranges, abnormal flags, status, method. NTE (optional): comments, interpretive text. SPM (if used): specimen specifics (type, source, additives). Coding & Mapping Test catalogs mapped to LOINC (results) and CPT/HCPCS (billing) where applicable. Units standardized (e.g., UCUM); reference ranges per age/sex. Abnormal flags (H/L/A/< >/CRIT) and result status (F/P/C/X) normalized. OpenEMR Configuration Enable or install the HL7 interface module / connectors (or integrate via an external interface engine). Define interfaces/endpoints: TCP listener (MLLP) or folder polling for inbound ORU^R01. Configure patient matching: MRN primary; fallback to name+DOB with strict tolerance. Map ordering providers, labs, test panels, and CPT/LOINC in Administration. Set auto-attach rules: bind results to the right patient & encounter, and file under Procedures/Labs. Configure notifications (e.g., task/alert when critical results arrive).