Given today’s interconnected computer systems, various industries continue to tackle matters concerning interoperability and integration. The healthcare industry is no exception. Healthcare interoperability allows providers to provide better patient care through timely and accurate access to relevant health information.
With the right approach, interoperability can benefit the healthcare sector in many ways. Find out the importance of interoperability in healthcare systems and why your organization should consider investing in EHRs and other reputable interoperability solutions.
Table of Contents
What Is Healthcare Interoperability?
Healthcare interoperability refers to the ability of an electronic healthcare system to communicate and readily exchange data with other computers or software from a different provider or vendor. Interoperability also makes it possible to access health data from various sectors, including pharmacies, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, and palliative care institutions.
Since interoperability involves the exchange of sensitive information, healthcare providers must comply with data standards to safeguard PHI (protected health information).
The HIMSS also classified health IT interoperability into four levels: foundational, structural, semantic, and organizational. These levels define the type of data exchange involved, with the highest level being the most crucial since it requires shared consent for integrated end-user processes and workflows.
Interoperability in healthcare examples
A good example of interoperability in the healthcare setting is the facilitation of new patient admissions. By enabling interoperability among EHR systems through application programming interfaces, a quick search in the database will tell you whether the patient has an existing health record. You may then retrieve the information, update it with the recommended treatments, then send it to the department designated to administer the tests and medications. This seamless data exchange streamlines the process and improves patient care.
Importance of Interoperability in Healthcare: 5 Key Reasons (Benefits)
Interoperability in healthcare helps improve patient outcomes by enhancing the quality of care and streamlining operations. Here are some of the most important benefits of interoperability in healthcare:
1. Eliminates inefficiencies
Interoperability among healthcare systems helps eliminate inefficiencies by streamlining the work process. Instead of doing things the roundabout way, healthcare professionals can effectively determine the possible cause of the patient’s problems and recommend the appropriate treatment. This kind of approach is crucial for situations requiring urgent and emergency care.
2. Easy access to information
Ready access to a patient’s health records allows healthcare professionals to obtain any information necessary for making informed decisions. Easy access to information enables medical providers to decide accordingly, especially when the patient fails to provide accurate information about his medications or treatment history.
3. Improved treatment plans and care options
Having detailed access to the patient’s health records allows healthcare providers to think of better treatment plans and interventions. For example, integrating EHR information into a PMS (pharmacy management software) makes it easier for pharmacists to check whether the medication could cause any potential issues and adverse effects.
4. Improves patient journey
Interoperability allows healthcare providers to better engage with patients and improve their adherence towards treatment and medications. For example, a patient may have trouble recalling past health issues during the initial consultation. Having ready access to EHR reduces the time spent on assessment so the healthcare provider can focus more on testing and diagnosis.
5. Safe and seamless care transitions
Healthcare interoperability is crucial in the treatment and management of patients with chronic illnesses. The transition of care usually happens when a patient moves from one care setting to another. Having ready access to the patient’s EHR ensures a seamless transition through effective coordination and safe patient transfers.
The 4 Levels of Healthcare Interoperability
As defined by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), there are four levels of healthcare interoperability, each building upon the previous one.
These levels are as follows:
- Foundational: At this level, data gets transmitted from one system to another. The receiving system is not required to interpret the data automatically.
- Structural: This level establishes a standard for exchanged data and is structured to allow automatic processing by different systems.
- Semantic: This level goes beyond structure, ensuring that terms and concepts are interpreted accurately and consistently across different systems.
- Organizational: The highest level of interoperability. It encompasses technical standards, policies, processes, and governance structures facilitating secure and seamless data sharing across different organizations.
Using Healthcare Interoperability Software for Seamless Care Coordination
Healthcare interoperability software is any healthcare management software capable of exchanging data with other systems or platforms. It can be an EHR, EMR, medical billing, or even fax software that allows seamless app integrations.
Take fax, for example. Interoperability makes it possible to fax directly from any EHR or EMR system. For this to work, your organization would need an online fax solution that supports EMR or EHR integration. iFax is the best example.
iFax, through its Fax API, enables you to send and receive faxes directly from your EHR or EMR software. It lets you fax health records containing protected health information (PHI) online without connecting to a phone line or dedicated fax server.
Best of all, iFax’s HIPAA-compliant online fax offers several advantages, including:
- Accessibility: You can fax using your existing app or software. You can even use your email to fax any local or international fax number.
- Cross-functionality: iFax will automatically sync your documents across multiple platforms, keeping your fax records current while ensuring data consistency and accuracy.
- Cost-efficiency: Switching to sustainable paperless faxing can help your organization save on operating expenses.
Streamline Faxing in Healthcare With iFax
Faxing directly from healthcare systems can be made more effortless and seamless. iFax provides a secure and modern fax solution that eliminates fax machines.
If you want to fax medical records, prescription requests, and other documents online, switching to an online fax service that supports interoperability can significantly improve your organization’s healthcare communication and overall system efficiency.
Switch to iFax today.
Request a tailored demo by getting in touch with our sales team.
