We all know that true interoperability is something that will drastically improve the lives of our patients, the lives of our staff, and our organizations as a whole — I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t want to achieve true interoperability in their organization. However, knowing how amazing it is and wanting it for ourselves does not automatically mean we can have it. Tragically, there are various barriers throughout different sections of the healthcare system that are preventing us from achieving this goal.
To help us identify these barriers, as well as invent solutions to remove them, we reached out to our incredible Healthcare IT Today Community to ask: What are the main barriers to achieving true interoperability in healthcare IT, and how can organizations overcome them? The following is what they had to share.
Luigi Leblanc, Vice President of Technology at Zane Networks
Achieving true interoperability in healthcare data sharing remains challenging as national frameworks like the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) continue to evolve. While TEFCA presents promising opportunities for compliant data exchange, current implementation requires hybrid approaches that leverage existing infrastructure while meeting market demand to expand network access through modern APIs such as FHIR. A common framework provides opportunities for various national partners—QHINs, HDUs, HIEs, and public health platforms such as AIMs—to access critical capabilities like decision support, scalability, and security.
However, the hybrid approach needs to empower “last mile” interoperability while organizations transition to data sharing within TEFCA. The downstream capabilities and technical requirements don’t just need to be enabled but will require providers and organizations to realize the value added by using modern APIs. Depending on the use case, such benefits can be amplified when leveraging a national network.
Read the full article here.
