Health information interoperability is the capability of various information systems, devices, and applications not only to access but also exchange, integrate and collaboratively utilize data in a coordinated manner. This happens across organizations, regions and national health care system to offer timely and seamless portability of information to optimize individual and population health. Imperatively, interoperability between electronic health records (EHRs) and other disparate systems is essential as it allows the seamless flow of information among different providers to make better care decisions and plans for patients (Lehne et al., 2019). The interoperability between EHRs and other system enables better workflows and reduces ambiguity of information while also allowing transfer of data among EHRs systems and health care stakeholders. EHR interoperability means that providers can transfer information and communicate openly with each other and process data in a manner that is truly meaningful to all stakeholders.
Interoperability between these systems and EHRs improves the quality of care as providers get accurate data and health information concerning patients to make better decisions in clinical practice. The implication is that it reduces possible medication errors and ascertains that data is not only secure but also protected (Staras et al., 2021). Access to care by patients is critical and through EHRs interoperability, patients can get care from different providers in different regions in the country without any physical limitations and barriers.
Workflow analysis identifies areas that have problems, especially delays in information or where employees perform repetitive tasks and require effective interoperability. Through the analysis, an organization identifies areas where healthcare providers require reinforcement for effective interoperability (Staras et al., 2021). Increased levels of interoperability ensure that organizations recognize weak areas and improve them for seamless flow of data and patient health information to improve quality of care by making better decisions and plans of care.
References
Lehne, M., Sass, J., Essenwanger, A., Schepers, J., & Thun, S. (2019). Why digital medicine
depends on interoperability. NPJ digital medicine, 2(1), 1-5. DOI: 10.1038/s41746-019-0158-1
Staras, S., Tauscher, J. S., Rich, N., Samarah, E., Thompson, L. A., Vinson, M. M., … &
Shenkman, E. A. (2021). Using a clinical workflow analysis to enhance eHealth implementation planning: tutorial and case study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 9(3), e18534. DOI: 10.2196/18534
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