The emergence of HL7's FHIR standard proved a popular topic for Pulse+IT readers this year, joining perennial favourites such as the PCEHR, primary health networks/Medicare Locals and the Telstra Health juggernaut with several entries in the top 20 most-read stories.

Any news on three particular hospitals – Perth's Fiona Stanley, St Stephen's at Hervey Bay and the new and old Royal Adelaide – also drew in the eyeballs, for reasons both good and bad.