Interoperability will bind together a wide network of real-time life critical data that
not only transform but become healthcare.
Health Information Interoperability Challenges Healthcare and healthcare information technology (HIT) continue to be a data integration challenge in terms of requirements for patient identification, document format/sharing, record location, audit trail and authentication, subscription services and persistence in a repository. Another wider challenge being faced in Healthcare industry is slow and fragmented
adoption of Electronic Medical Records. Interoperability is a fundamental requirement for ensuring that widespread electronic medical record (EMR) / electronic health records (EHR) adoption gives the desired social and economic benefits. Healthcare professionals seeking to acquire or
upgrade systems need a convenient, reliable way of specifying a level of compliance to standards sufficient to achieve truly efficient interoperability via Health Information Exchange (HIE) solutions. The purpose of the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) initiative is to meet that need.
Goal of IHE
IHE is an initiative by healthcare professionals and industry to improve the way computer systems in healthcare share information. Systems developed in accordance with IHE communicate with one another better, are easier to implement, and enable effective use of information by providers. IHE is based on the understanding that system interoperability requires global collaboration and implementation.
IHE Profiles and Standards
IHE Profiles provide a common language for purchasers and vendors to discuss the integration needs of healthcare sites and the integration capabilities of healthcare IT products. They offer developers a clear implementation path for communication standards supported by industry partners and carefully documented, reviewed and tested. They give purchasers a tool that reduces the complexity, cost and anxiety of implementing interoperable systems.
Nationwide Health Information Network
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has been facilitating development of the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN), which will tie together health information exchanges, integrated delivery networks, pharmacies, government, labs, providers, payors and other stakeholders into a “network of networks.” The NHIN participants continue to work with IHE technical committees to develop specifications for areas such as Document metadata and Subscription and Notification.
