When receiving HL7 messages, what should be ignored?

When processing HL7 messages, extra repetitions of an unexpected field should indeed be disregarded. HL7 messages are designed to maintain a specific structure, and while certain fields may appear multiple times due to the nature of the data being represented, any extra repetition of fields that are not anticipated according to the message structure should not impact the processing of the message. This ensures that the integrity and accuracy of the relevant data are maintained without being skewed by unexpected or extraneous information.

In contrast, expected data values, confirmed segments, and mandatory fields all play essential roles in the integrity and functionality of the HL7 message. Ignoring necessary components could lead to incomplete data processing or misinterpretation of the information being conveyed. Thus, the focus should be on critical data that is defined by the HL7 standards, while unexpected additional repetitions can safely be ignored to prevent confusion.