Interoperability describes an IT system’s ability to communicate with other platforms, exchange data and use other information that has already been exchanged. In recent years, many members of the health IT (HIT) industry have united to create and execute supplier-neutral platforms that combat current technologies and processes that limit interoperability.
Access to open and interoperable platforms are crucial to the future of the health care industry. Here, we’ve compiled a list of seven must-read related blogs.
Blog #1: The Road to Interoperability: More Than Technology
Zane Burke, President, Cerner
In this blog, Zane Burke examines interoperability’s place at the forefront of health care reform as the industry continues to shift from volume- to value-based care. Because the future of health IT lies within person-centered care, he urges leadership to look for ideas from all corners of the industry to help it move forward.
“Interoperability isn’t just about what’s good for Cerner’s business – it’s about doing the right thing by consumers and clinicians. It’s our moral obligation.”
Blog #2: Context Matters: Health Data Access that Helps Our First Responders
Jitin Asnaani, Executive Director, CommonWell Health Alliance
On the CommonWell Health Alliance blog, Jitin Asnaani reflects on the importance of interoperability in the face of natural disasters. When every second counts, the average health care consumer might not think about the dangers of the loss to data access, but it is in these moments that open and interoperable HIT solutions can make the biggest impact.
“It is our job as health IT professionals to match those quality improvement efforts by making medical records ubiquitous, accurate and easy to locate – especially in times of unanticipated emergency.”
Blog #3: #EmpowerHIT: The Quest for Interoperability
John Gresham, Vice President of DeviceWorks and Interoperability, Cerner
On the HIMSS blog, John Gresham discusses the long road to achieving full interoperability. He highlights the effects of emerging trends, such as patient-centered care and the Internet of Things, which bode well for the future of health care.
“One thing is certain – the quest for interoperability will stretch far into the future. The promise is better, safer and more effective care.”
Blog #4: The Future of Academic Medical Centers Relies on Open, Modern HIT
Sam Pettijohn, Sr. Vice President, Client Organization, Cerner
Future generations of nurses, physicians and researchers need technology at their fingertips that will allow them to find innovative solutions to challenges we face in health care. In this blog, Sam Pettijohn considers the important role that academic medical centers play in uncovering groundbreaking discoveries and innovation, and how contemporary and flexible HIT solutions are critical to their success.
“The responsibilities of academic medical centers extend beyond providing care to patients — they must also shape the minds of future health care leaders and advance medical research.”
Blog #5: Moving Interoperability Forward with Standards
Hans Buitendijk, Director, Standards and Regulation, Cerner
Standards have historically been too flexible to result in consistent, unambiguous interoperability across provider organizations. With more than three decades of health information integration experience, Hans Buitendijk shares his thoughts on the evolution of interoperability as we look toward the future of open and connected health systems.
“For interoperability to be complete and successful, we must get to a state where we can plug in a new system and have basic, essential data access and exchange happening from the moment the system is live.”
Blog #6: Why Interoperability for Health Care Means More than a Number
Kashif Rathore, Sr. Director, Interoperability, Cerner
Competing health care organizations frequently use transaction numbers to prove their advantage, but measuring the success of interoperability isn’t that simple. Rather than getting bogged down in the numbers, Kashif Rathore suggests that we continue to empower clinicians by breaking down the siloes that have restricted data exchange.
“For health IT providers, the bottom line is about accessibility. Are we providing the clinicians the right information at the right time, regardless of where the care is occurring?”
Blog #7: 3 Things to Know About Cerner's Free Consumer-Directed Health Record
At the 2017 Cerner Health Conference, President Zane Burke made several announcements that will have huge implications on the future of interoperability. This blog explains how consumer-directed health records and industry partnerships can advance the next generation of interoperability.
"It's time for the patient to be part of the care team, and it's time for us to embrace that. No matter what the definition [of interoperability] is, you can agree that we should solve that problem."
Cerner’s open platforms, open technology and culture of openness are driving collaborative efforts focused on advancing health care. Learn more here.
