[{"innerBlocks":[],"name":"core\/freeform","postId":125827,"blockType":{"name":"core\/freeform","keywords":[],"attributes":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"providesContext":[],"usesContext":[],"selectors":[],"supports":{"className":false,"customClassName":false,"reusable":false},"styles":[],"variations":[],"apiVersion":3,"title":"Classic","description":"Use the classic WordPress editor.","category":"text"},"originalContent":"The ability for the healthcare industry to effectively utilize separate information systems in a way that integrates those systems and enables the exchange and cooperative use of critical data, is more important than ever, and interoperability will only continue to gain momentum as we move into 2020 and beyond.With that in mind, let\u2019s dive into where interoperability stands, today, and where it might be headed.There are four levels of interoperability\u2014foundational, structural, semantic and organizational, according to the overarching definition offered by HIMSS.Foundational refers to the ability of one system to communicated with another, while structural \u201cdefines the format, syntax and organization of data exchange.\u201d Semantic helps tie data together in a way that provides common meaning and understanding to data, and organizational refers to ways the healthcare industry, the government, and more are working to provide considerations and standards surrounding interoperability.

While interoperability is, in theory, the future of patient care and patient-data transfer, a survey<\/a> conducted by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) found that, in both 2015 and 2017, only about 10 percent of physicians \u201cengaged in all four domains of interoperability\u201d\u2014send, receive, find and integrate.The same survey suggested that the small percentage of physicians who do participate in all four domains are more likely to have patient information available electronically from outside sources, providing a glimpse into the benefits of adopting full interoperability.Currently, the Interoperability Standards Advisory<\/a> process is the ONC\u2019s main way of attempting to spur the industry toward dialogue about \u201cthe identification, assessment and public awareness of interoperability standards and implementation specifications\u201d and of addressing key needs surrounding interoperability.While interoperability is growing, obstacles still exist in the form of non-standardized patient information, changing payment incentives, confusion surrounding privacy laws and hesitance regarding the security of data exchange.It\u2019s clear that increased interoperability is needed in the healthcare industry\u2014lower costs, better care, increased efficiency and more will almost certainly result from interoperability\u2019s continued growth.To get there, however, the industry will need to consider four pillars of interoperability, according to experts quoted in EHR Intelligence.Patient directed.<\/b> New regulations like the 21st Century Cares Act are aimed at increasing patient access to their own data, and creating more informed and cared-for patients is the ultimate goal. However, if providers aren\u2019t prepared and knowledgeable about how to comply with these standards, they could be in for a nasty surprise in the form of penalties. Entering 2020, it\u2019s critical that providers looking to increase interoperability are aware of the steps they\u2019ll need to take to do it the right way and with a patient-focused mindset.Patient data access.<\/b> As patients receive more access to their data, it\u2019s critical that modern forms of providing that access are considered. Moving into 2020, patients will look to be able to access their records in a variety of ways, including in real time using their smartphones. Security also needs to be a key consideration\u2014while patients will relish this ease of access, they could also be hindered or turned away completely if they don\u2019t feel the process is airtight.Shared records.<\/b> The Statewide Health Information Network for New York is a tremendous example of the kind of shared access needed around the country\u2014when care providers have quick and thorough access to patient information as part of a network like SHIN-NY, they\u2019re empowered to make faster and more complete decisions for patients. It\u2019s important, then, that the industry continues to push for the creation of more organizations like SHIN-NY.EHR-to-EHR.<\/b> While EHR-to-EHR communication is the most common of the four pillars, this communication is often still lagging behind. Internal EHR capabilities are getting votes of confidence around the country, but the sharing of data between parties is still limping along. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the Center for Connected Medicine (CCM), only 37 percent of respondents said they \u201ccan successfully share information with other health systems.\u201d","saveContent":"The ability for the healthcare industry to effectively utilize separate information systems in a way that integrates those systems and enables the exchange and cooperative use of critical data, is more important than ever, and interoperability will only continue to gain momentum as we move into 2020 and beyond.With that in mind, let\u2019s dive into where interoperability stands, today, and where it might be headed.There are four levels of interoperability\u2014foundational, structural, semantic and organizational, according to the overarching definition offered by HIMSS.Foundational refers to the ability of one system to communicated with another, while structural \u201cdefines the format, syntax and organization of data exchange.\u201d Semantic helps tie data together in a way that provides common meaning and understanding to data, and organizational refers to ways the healthcare industry, the government, and more are working to provide considerations and standards surrounding interoperability.While interoperability is, in theory, the future of patient care and patient-data transfer, a survey<\/a> conducted by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) found that, in both 2015 and 2017, only about 10 percent of physicians \u201cengaged in all four domains of interoperability\u201d\u2014send, receive, find and integrate.The same survey suggested that the small percentage of physicians who do participate in all four domains are more likely to have patient information available electronically from outside sources, providing a glimpse into the benefits of adopting full interoperability.Currently, the Interoperability Standards Advisory<\/a> process is the ONC\u2019s main way of attempting to spur the industry toward dialogue about \u201cthe identification, assessment and public awareness of interoperability standards and implementation specifications\u201d and of addressing key needs surrounding interoperability.While interoperability is growing, obstacles still exist in the form of non-standardized patient information, changing payment incentives, confusion surrounding privacy laws and hesitance regarding the security of data exchange.It\u2019s clear that increased interoperability is needed in the healthcare industry\u2014lower costs, better care, increased efficiency and more will almost certainly result from interoperability\u2019s continued growth.To get there, however, the industry will need to consider four pillars of interoperability, according to experts quoted in EHR Intelligence.Patient directed.<\/b> New regulations like the 21st Century Cares Act are aimed at increasing patient access to their own data, and creating more informed and cared-for patients is the ultimate goal. However, if providers aren\u2019t prepared and knowledgeable about how to comply with these standards, they could be in for a nasty surprise in the form of penalties. Entering 2020, it\u2019s critical that providers looking to increase interoperability are aware of the steps they\u2019ll need to take to do it the right way and with a patient-focused mindset.Patient data access.<\/b> As patients receive more access to their data, it\u2019s critical that modern forms of providing that access are considered. Moving into 2020, patients will look to be able to access their records in a variety of ways, including in real time using their smartphones. Security also needs to be a key consideration\u2014while patients will relish this ease of access, they could also be hindered or turned away completely if they don\u2019t feel the process is airtight.Shared records.<\/b> The Statewide Health Information Network for New York is a tremendous example of the kind of shared access needed around the country\u2014when care providers have quick and thorough access to patient information as part of a network like SHIN-NY, they\u2019re empowered to make faster and more complete decisions for patients. It\u2019s important, then, that the industry continues to push for the creation of more organizations like SHIN-NY.EHR-to-EHR.<\/b> While EHR-to-EHR communication is the most common of the four pillars, this communication is often still lagging behind. Internal EHR capabilities are getting votes of confidence around the country, but the sharing of data between parties is still limping along. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the Center for Connected Medicine (CCM), only 37 percent of respondents said they \u201ccan successfully share information with other health systems.\u201d","order":0,"get_parent":{},"attributes":[],"attributesType":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"dynamicContent":""}]

Why interoperability’s evolution will dominate concerns in 2020

More for you