Interoperability is the ability of the seamless share and transfer of healthcare data between Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Software systems to enhance care coordination for improved patient outcomes. The global pandemic, COVID-19 has stressed the importance of health data and hence it’s the right time for the interoperability and patient access rule.
What are the interoperability and patient access rule?
The rule facilitates the provider’s and health system’s decision-making process by connected information across different care continuums. Interoperability provides a smooth connection across different specialties, keeping stakeholders in the healthcare sector linked to support patient diagnosis and treatment path. Interoperability initiatives can ensure that health data is effectively shared and reported promptly.
Benefits of FHIR
The interoperability and patient access rule using FHIR API supports the seamless access to patient data across the care continuum for improved care coordination by healthcare providers. FHIR is free to use and is built on existing web technologies such as HTTPS, JSON, and XML. FHIR API supports mobile devices technology such as Android and iOS facilitating developers to easily build it. FHIR API creates vendor-neutral information exchange, which means that patients can visit many healthcare facilities using different EMR Software technologies to get information on their mobile devices through standard technologies. The uniform technology standards help to enhance healthcare interoperability options.
Interoperability initiatives
As the world struggles with COVID-19 healthcare industries and software vendors are making efforts to enhance data-sharing technologies. Healthcare providers and tech companies are working closely to increase the possibilities for smooth data sharing. The COVID-19 Health care Coalition has been formed this year bringing together industry stakeholders together to support data sharing that offers insights in real-time to improve patient outcome levels.
The HIMSS Electronic Health Record Association has been developed to figure out opportunities that support innovative and new requirements for data sharing. The HIMSS EHR Association has teamed up with public health officials to recognize which data elements are required and find out the most effective methods to report that data.
Interoperability and the COVID-19 Pandemic
It is critical amidst the pandemic that information exchange and sharing between hospitals and clinics are streamlined to reduce virus exposure and prevent duplicate COVID-19 testing. Interoperability and real-time patient notifications help providers to track and monitor COVID-19 patient encounters across hospitals. Appropriate follow-up care can be provided when real-time alerts are offered about patient diagnosis, hospitalization, and treatment plan.
Leveraging interoperability is the final option for enhanced care coordination and patient engagement. The improved data flow is critical for providers to tackle patients and mitigate the spread of the virus.
