Full interoperability: It’s already possible, here’s how

At its broadest definition, interoperability means having “everything” work together to create a seamless patient record, no matter the source of the information or the systems used.

In the consumer world, standards create “interoperability,” which is why a DVD or DVR works with any TV set. In health IT, it involves hardware and software from multiple vendors working together, creating the ability to see patient information no matter where it originated.

To support quality care, clinicians need information to be available seamlessly within their workflow. To manage their own health, patients also need to access their information in a convenient way and be certain it’s transferred accurately across the care continuum.

While interoperability has progressed in recent years, that progression is presenting new challenges.

Today, thanks in large part to work by organizations like CommonWell and Carequality along with regulatory changes, it is now easier to access clinical information from other health systems. While the recent proposed rules from the ONC and CMS present their own challenges, they also show that the technology to achieve full interoperability exists. However, we still need to pay close attention to the workflow to ensure that the information, which is now available, is presented in a readily accessible and useable fashion.

Healthcare systems have used available technology to create sustainable solutions to connect data, providing improved information to clinicians. These healthcare systems, with numerous and disparate sources of patient data, directed patient data to unified and usable sources. This resulted improving access and outcomes. Here are some examples:

  • A fast-growing health authority in Canada, Fraser Health Authority (Surrey, British Columbia), uses multiple clinical information systems across its organizations to deliver patient care. Fraser Health’s customized version of Allscripts dbMotion™ Solution has given some 18,000 acute users access to community data integrated with acute data.
  • Clalit Health Service’s Ofek Network (Israel), also powered by the Allscripts dbMotion Solution, connects multiple health systems that serve Israel’s 8.3 million residents. The technology continually compiles a networkwide view-only patient record, leading to better patient outcomes as providers access information previously unavailable at the point of care.
  • Rochester Regional Health (Rochester, NY) has an extensive care network, using multiple electronic health record (EHR) systems. Rochester Regional uses the dbMotion Solution to aggregate patient data across all its sites. The strength of its clinical data helped Rochester Regional achieve HIMSS Level 7, reduce readmissions and unnecessary repetitive services.
  • One of the largest health systems in the country, UPMC (Pittsburgh), launched an interoperability project in the mid-2000s to connect multiple EHR systems along with other data sources. It now manages a comprehensive lifetime medical record for more than 8 million patients across western Pennsylvania.

Work like this, made possible by the drive toward greater interoperability, will continue. As sources of patient data increase and standards for data sharing improve, Allscripts will continue offering tools to turn the available data into information to be shared effectively at the point of care.

At Allscripts we recognize the contribution of full interoperability toward achieving the best care possible. To explore the possibilities in depth, read our emagazine on An Interoperable Future.

 

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