Interoperability is a term that means different things to different people, but the central goal remains the same: making data sharing easier to enhance outcomes and reduce costs.While FHIR has provided a common set of protocols and standards, challenges remain in how we connect and share data effectively.
In a truly interoperable healthcare system, data should be continuously accessible without the need for repeated requests, aggregations, and validations. It should not be limited to specific platforms or organizations, but rather be constantly updated and easily accessible in real-time for authorized users.
This level of data access and interoperability has the potential to transform healthcare transactions.
Progress Towards True Interoperability
While achieving this level of interoperability is still a work in progress, advancements in technology offer opportunities to move closer to this vision. Three key conditions must be met to make meaningful strides forward:
1.Prioritizing the patient experience: Enhancing patient experience goes beyond just improving wait times and safety measures. It requires seamless real-time information sharing between payers and providers for processes like eligibility, coverage, prior authorization, and claims processing.
2.Thinking beyond existing tools: Healthcare organizations need to move away from incremental improvements and invest in innovative solutions that promote true interoperability. Simplifying processes and reducing technical and process debt can lead to more efficient data fluidity.Healthcare can draw inspiration from industries like banking, where seamless transactions are the norm across different platforms.It is essential to adopt a mindset of "possibility thinking" and embrace new ideas to enhance interoperability.
3. Reimagining interoperability: Beyond traditional tools and solutions, the industry should explore new approaches to data sharing.Creating a decentralized healthcare data fabric that allows secure access to current data could revolutionize the healthcare experience.By challenging existing limitations and priorities, the healthcare industry can work towards a reimagined future that prioritizes efficient data flow and accessibility without outdated processes.
Redefining Healthcare for a Better Future With the U.S. spending significantly more on healthcare administration than other countries, there is a clear need to reinvent the system to reduce administrative waste. Rather than just tweaking existing systems, the focus should be on completely reimagining how data flows within healthcare to achieve true interoperability.
Investing efforts in envisioning a more efficient healthcare ecosystem can lead to significant improvements and cost savings. By embracing innovation and thinking beyond current solutions, progress can be made towards a more streamlined and interconnected healthcare landscape by 2023 and beyond.
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