Interoperability in Healthcare: Challenges and Benefits!

 

Introduction
In healthcare, interoperability refers to timely and secure electronic health data access, use, and integration. This is to optimize health outcomes for individuals and populations. Securely accessing and sharing health data has always been a big challenge in healthcare. In this blog, let us study some of the challenges and benefits of interoperability in health care.

Why Is Healthcare Interoperability Important?
Due to the paradoxical nature of healthcare data, it isn't easy to share. It is susceptible, and at the same time, it requires a high level of privacy and security. Also, it may be difficult to access it when needed, which may cause a significant level of harm. Due to a lack of interoperability, an incomplete understanding of an individual's or a population's health needs may arise. This may result in increased healthcare expenses and inferior outcomes.

Healthcare Interoperability Challenges

Several experts and leaders think that if different systems can work together better, healthcare will also improve. But, there are problems that healthcare organizations usually have when they try to make their data and systems work together. Let's check out those problems and how organizations can solve them.

• Health Data Interoperability and The Healthcare Industry

 
There is a dire need for a healthcare information system to be more integrated. This could help physicians and other healthcare providers see a more complete picture or view of their patients. If it were possible to integrate information systems more effectively, more rational health plans could be made available with a better understanding of their demand for services and utilization rates. With better Healthcare Interoperability Services, it will become possible for decision-makers across the industry to take a better look at how people access and use health information, regardless of its source. This would drive better models of care, help pursue better patient safety, and improve experiences and overall patient outcomes.

• Patient Life Expectancy and Interoperability

 
Populations around the world are aging. Consequently, people are living longer. Therefore, interoperability and data sharing are increasingly critical for effective healthcare delivery. As per the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, two-thirds of elderly Americans experience at least two chronic behavioral or physical conditions. This means that the treatment of people who suffer from chronic conditions currently accounts for an estimated 66% of healthcare costs in the USA. Moreover, as per the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), there has been a significant surge in the adoption of EHRs in the USA. This also means that although access to vial clinical data has improved, much work is still needed to create an integrated data ecosystem.

• Poor Coordination

Improving interoperability requires strong coordination between different organizations, regulators, and leaders. Coordination within organizations is also necessary. Therefore, organizations that want to be proactive about interoperability must be dedicated to implementing a dedicated interoperability strategy and prioritize interoperability planning.

• Restricted Budgets

Not all organizations have access to the financial and technical resources needed to invest in the necessary technical resources to build a truly interoperable system. However, some government grants may be available so that organizations can update their health records systems.

•  Legacy Systems
  

Some healthcare organizations may have older legacy systems and face dual challenges while modernizing them. They may need to make their systems more accessible for modern applications and programs.
 
Healthcare Interoperability Benefits
Nevertheless, when different healthcare systems can easily share information, it helps doctors and hospitals work together smoothly. This means better patient care because everyone involved can access the correct data at the right time. Here are some benefits as mentioned below:

• Better Coordination of Care

Clinicians today have easier access to data. This means clinicians can easily access a patient's most important health information. This means fewer repeat tests, preventing accidental treatment interactions, and reduced miscommunication.

• Better Performance:

It is easier to analyze data that can be combined more easily. With the help of Healthcare Data Interoperability, organizations can study data trends and past performance, make data-driven decisions, and improve patient care.

• More Satisfactory Experiences:

With the help of healthcare data interoperability, it is possible to reduce redundant administrative work within and outside organizations. This helps create more satisfying experiences for employees as well as for those whom they work for.

Conclusion

Healthcare IT continues to evolve as the demands of systems operations and data accessibility constantly change. The number of connected healthcare systems is currently ever-increasing. Hospitals possess multiple systems and user-operated medical devices. These need to connect and exchange data using various common standards. A growing demand exists to overcome the fragmentation of different healthcare technologies. This will help improve the utilization of clinical data. Besides, this will also increase operational efficiencies. Thus, it can be seen that healthcare data interoperability removes several complexities, including manual steps. This helps healthcare organizations organize information to reach the correct access points and helps healthcare providers make quick and accurate decisions. OmniMD enables you to realize truly connected healthcare with proven interoperability solutions. Contact us to know more!