Definition
An API platform exposes resources such as orders, results, master files, or events over HTTPS with machine-readable schemas.
Workflow
Typical workflows include asynchronous notifications (webhooks) for resulted tests and idempotent POST semantics for order creation from trusted systems.
Implementation
Implementation requires API keys or token flows, rate limiting, audit logs, and sandbox environments separate from production.
Interoperability
APIs often coexist with HL7 engines: the engine normalizes enterprise feeds while APIs serve modern consumers.