Why Is Interoperability Important To Healthcare?
As the world continues to contract in size due to fast-paced digitalization, connectivity has allowed us to bring complex systems together - into one centralized operational hub. With such connectivity, the transmission of data and information from one part of the industry to another seems to have gotten extremely agile. And that is what interoperability is all about.
What Is Healthcare Interoperability?
According to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, or HIMSS for short, interoperability refers to the extent of the abilities of systems and programs to share information and data in a decipherable form. That means that the data or information transferred should deliver the intended meaning to the end-user, regardless of how many mediums it goes through.
Why Is It Important To Healthcare?
When we talk about the healthcare industry, interoperability has been of utmost importance as it mitigates the distance and differences between one medical software to another. That allows for the seamless sharing of data and information from different vital sources such as pharmacies, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, and more.
Interoperability in healthcare enables physicians to access critical information such as a patients’ medical history, medication records, and previously made diagnosis. But for the model to successfully display its abilities, providers must share information to be saved on a database and be accessed by whoever requires it to administer medical care. Here are some of the reasons why the healthcare industry needs to incorporate interoperability.
Effectiveness Of Procedures
One of the biggest reasons behind introducing interoperability to healthcare was to enhance efficiency. With the consistent availability of data and records, thanks to EHR and EMR - amongst other APIs, for medical practitioners to consult, the effectiveness of medical procedures has been improved. More data-driven decisions are leading to enhanced patient care.
Lower Costs
Interoperability allows for the transfer of information that can make a difference and save service providers a lot when it comes to cost incurred. The information regarding a patient is vigilantly kept over the healthcare application or medical software like EMR. And as it is effectively shared amongst the industry due to interoperability, medical professionals can save a lot of time and money by avoiding unnecessary and repetitive tests and procedures.
Diminishes Intervention Time
The biggest and arguably the most noticeable advantage of interoperability in healthcare is the reduction of intervention time. As information sharing becomes more streamlined and ever so vigilant, medical providers have reduced intervention time for healthcare administration. They can now provide robust medical attention to a patient as early as possible.
Continuity Of Care
In the case of terminal illnesses, or even disasters, they can strike at any moment and requires the help of an agile communication system. That is to ensure that the patient receives the medical attention they need - on time! With data transfer over a state’s borders, you can be anywhere in the country and still receive comprehensive medical attention specific to your conditions efficiently.
Conclusion
Interoperability can sometimes be the deciding factor between a life saved or tragedy. That is why you must understand the importance of interoperability, especially if you are a healthcare provider. With most of our systems and information databases being interconnected, we must understand its reasons and try to make the most out of the current, more innovative healthcare industry.
DevScripts Solutions is an IT Consultant Firm Specializing in Interoperability within the Healthcare Arena.
We are a small team solving big interoperability challenges on a daily basis. With our vast knowledge of interoperability we can integrate ourselves as part of your organization just like we are part of your full-time team. We develop a variety of custom interfaces for healthcare organizations such as Healthcare Vendors, HIEs, Health Systems, Hospitals, Medical Practices, Payors and ACOs using Mirth Connect.
We work with businesses in California, Georgia, New York, Florida, Texas and throughout the wider United States.
For more information on our services or to arrange a consultation call please contact us today.
T: 678-861-4682 E: info@devscriptssolutions.com
