Interoperability

FHIR is key to interoperability and better data access, says FHIR product director for HL7 International Grahame Grieve.

Steve Wretling, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at HIMSS, says the interoperability discussion moves beyond technology to cover policy and process.

CMMI Director Adam Boehler details the impact of new interoperability rules from CMS and ONC. 

Connecting data between the public health department and hospitals in Shanghai has resulted in improved services for patients, says Tongyu Zhu, director at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center.

With ONC's final TEFCA rule expected soon, one clinician explains how the expansion and user-friendly data exchange is ushering in a new era of care for providers and patients.  

Many EHR and health IT vendors have eliminated obstacles to participation, and most have made connection to the network plug-and-play, a new report says.

In working with MediBloc, MGH is said to be interested in the ledger technology's suitability for storage and exchange of patient data, supplementing its EHR.

The concept is simpler than many realize, but the implementation can be complex and challenging. Health systems should think deliberately about new proofs-of-concept, but get on board soon.

Key European eHealth interoperability experts gathered in Brussels, Belgium, last week to discuss a multi-stakeholder initiative that could allow a one-time interoperability testing of eHealth products with mutual recognition across the EU and beyond.

From innovations and emerging technology to the promise of regulatory relief for hospitals, healthcare has plenty to be grateful for this week and year round.