What is interoperability in healthcare?
Interoperability in healthcare refers to timely and secure access, integration and use of electronic health data so that it can be used to optimize health outcomes for individuals and populations.

With better interoperability, organizations would be able to stop regarding individuals as a patient one day, a health plan member the next and a consumer of health apps the next. Instead, decision-makers across the industry would be able start looking at how people access and use health information, regardless of its source, to drive better models of care, pursue better patient safety and improve experiences for the people they serve.

Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) is an open source standards framework for healthcare data that builds off of a previous standards framework called HL7. FHIR was created to make it easier for Healthcare Data Services to move from one system to another.

FHIR organizes data into resources like patient, conditions, medications and provides a standardized structure for how that data is organized and interpreted by different computer systems or applications. FHIR can also be used to structure financial data and workflow data, such as claims information, appointments and more.

What is FHIR?

Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) has transformed the digital infrastructure supporting patient care by addressing the challenge of data exchange between different systems. This modern health IT data standard is widely implemented in health apps and for sharing electronic health records (EHRs). Many major healthcare systems in the U.S. have already embraced FHIR in their IT practices.

FHIR structures data into resources like patients, conditions, and medications, creating a standardized framework for organizing and interpreting information across various systems or applications. Additionally, FHIR can manage financial and workflow data, including claims, appointments, and more.

Hybrid cloud-based solutions, partnerships to transition from legacy systems

Healthcare data services revealed that 73% of healthcare providers still rely on legacy information systems. These outdated systems contribute to slower processes, more frequent errors, difficulties in meeting the demands of modern healthcare, and gaps in regulatory compliance. To effectively transition to interoperability, organizations can utilize hybrid cloud-based solutions to modernize their data management. This approach not only facilitates the seamless integration of new applications but also ensures uninterrupted data flow during system upgrades. Healthcare providers can further support this shift by educating stakeholders on the importance of interoperability and its tools, as well as partnering with industry experts and vendors to ensure a smooth transition from outdated systems to advanced interoperability.

IMPROVING OUTCOMES AND VALUE THROUGH INTEROPERABILITY-FOCUSED PROCUREMENT

Making interoperability a core and affordable priority in acquisition strategies directly enhances the value and return on investment in healthcare Data Services technology spending. Whether for-profit or nonprofit, health system leaders acquiring and upgrading IT solutions, devices, and data systems typically aim to meet the following key objectives:

• Reduce medical errors and prioritize patient safety.
• Provide immediate and comprehensive access to patient health records.
• Improve risk management to optimize patient outcomes.
• Involve patients and families as active members of the care team.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, rules, and contractual obligations.
• Connect with new data exchange partners, such as technology, analytics, and social services.
• Automate data entry and reduce administrative burdens.
• Boost staff productivity and enhance caregiver and clinician satisfaction.
• Lower costs, minimize variations, and prevent duplicated care.
• Streamline administrative workflows like billing and quality reporting.
• Promote continuous quality improvement and foster a learning culture.

Many health insurance companies view Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) as the industry standard to meet. However, to fully leverage the potential of healthcare interoperability solutions, organizations must go beyond mere FHIR compliance. They should explore comprehensive strategies that can turn interoperability into a powerful competitive advantage.

Join healthcare Data Services leaders from Triyam as we offer key insights into how FHIR can be utilized not only to transform the consumer experience but also to provide enhanced access to health data through secure, self-service apps and digital tools. We will discuss innovative approaches to deliver the patient-centered care model that health plan members increasingly expect.