Using and adhering to interoperability standards enables health information exchange to be simple and effective. LOINC coding, correct implementation of HL7 transactions and proper support of FHIR®-based apps present opportunities for seamless transition of critical information making data more manageable and accessible to patients. This consistent and uninterrupted transition of data is crucial in the efforts to track COVID-19 cases. However, the deployment of these standards doesn’t always align with how the standards are developed, creating challenges in interpreting data for COVID-19 encounters, diagnoses, and lab results. Thought leaders from HIMSS’ Interoperability & HIE and Physician Communities will discuss how industry adherence to basic interoperability ‘rules of the road’ equip clinicians with better tracking mechanisms for COVID-19 cases and provide a long-term framework for subsequent healthcare initiatives that rely on consistent, reliable, high-quality data.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Discuss why complying to interoperability standards is a critical component in the timely and reliable transition of health information, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Highlight challenges with deploying standards in an effective way to inform care interventions
- Identify ways to encourage and enable healthcare provider organizations to improve on their data sharing practices
- Explore foundational interoperability principles which enable immediate improvements in data sharing and reporting capabilities
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