Interoperability of Health Information Systems is not just about standards
Hernan Burgos
Director of Business Development at Smile Digital Health, Health Data Management Platform - Influencer - Vet - Data Fabric Architecture.
Interoperability: The Key to Unlocking Healthcare's Full Potential
The healthcare industry stands on the brink of a revolutionary transformation, and interoperability is the catalyst that will propel us into a new era of patient care. For over two decades, we've grappled with the challenge of connecting disparate health information silos. But now, innovative solutions are emerging that promise to reshape the landscape of healthcare data management.
The Dawn of Data Fabric Architecture
One of the most promising developments in this space is the adoption of data fabric architecture, leveraging HL7 FHIR as a native standard. This approach offers a beacon of hope for centralizing health information data, ensuring its security, and facilitating seamless sharing at regional and national levels.
Beyond Standards: A Vision for True Interoperability
While open-source solutions like HAPI FHIR have garnered attention, it's crucial to recognize that true interoperability transcends mere technical standards. The real challenge lies in creating a fully operational, large-scale interoperable health information system that can handle the immense transactional demands of modern healthcare.
Build or Buy: A Strategic Decision
Healthcare organizations face a critical choice: build a custom solution or invest in a proven, scalable platform. The allure of building in-house is strong, but the complexity of large-scale interoperability often surpasses internal capabilities. A robust Health Information Exchange (HIE) solution requires not just technical prowess, but also the ability to scale rapidly and process vast amounts of data in real-time.
The Promise of Centralized Health Data
Imagine a future where a centralized prescription repository seamlessly expands to include vaccine records, and eventually encompasses all aspects of our health information. This vision is within reach, but it demands a scalable, forward-thinking approach.
Breaking Free from Legacy Constraints
For too long, we've been entangled in a web of outdated systems and siloed data. The time has come to break free from these constraints and embrace modern health data fabric solutions7. These innovative architectures offer the flexibility to connect with legacy systems while paving the way for a more integrated, efficient future.
The Future is Now
The healthcare industry stands at a crossroads. We can continue to invest in maintaining and patching old silos, or we can boldly step into a future of interconnected, patient-centric care. By embracing modern interoperability solutions, we open the door to unprecedented improvements in patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and healthcare innovation.
Let's seize this moment to reimagine healthcare data management. The technology exists, the potential is immense, and the time for transformation is now. Together, we can weave a tapestry of interconnected health data that will revolutionize patient care and propel healthcare into a brighter, more connected future.
#HealthcareInnovation #Interoperability #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfHealthcare #DataFabric
MD | Clinical Research | Entrepreneur | Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher | Mental Health Advocate | Health & Well-being
2 天前Amazing, I wish that all healthcare systems worldwide would look at a patient-centered model and say: oh wao, this should be the norm for our healthcare system. As a Venezuelan MD residing in Canada, I can share so many stories of how things lack communication and how the gap between the patient care and the needs the MDs want to need are HUGE. In ???? we lack the resources and the gap is not due to lack of empathy or lack of willingness to help, the gap is due to the lack of understanding and respect from the dictatorial government that is currently in power, and who suffers from this!? The patient and the doctors trying their best to help. In ???? they lack empathy, honor and respect for patients, they see patients in 15’ and only address 1 complaint at a time, as family doctors, it takes years to get referrals and more years to see a specialist, this is due to a socialist/communist government, same core values as the Venezuelan leader, and the healthcare system is crumbling, it’s NOT patient centered, the physicians are underpaid, understaffed & overworked, the wait times are higher & longer with each day that passes and the government in power does NOTHING to help their healthcare workers and the communities in need
EVP Business Development
4 天前Hi Hernan Burgos, although am I am impressed by the achievements of SmileCDR, and fully support the statement that interoperability is more than ‘standards’ (#interoperabilityisamindset ??), I do not agree that FHIR (being a standard as well) is going to be our ‘holy grail’ either. The solution to solve interoperability does not lie in our ability to centralize data. It will lie in our ability to manage data that is scattered and federated by nature. As someone wiser than me said: “you don’t fight chaos by trying to controle it, but by learning how to manage it”.
Information and Knowledge Architect
5 天前As part of a project at a national hospital, I designed a HIS back in 1992 based on DSM-3 and a bunch of nursing and pharmaceutical "standards" (which were taken from forms, and the most common fields used to start building records). The designed included record immutability (which at the time could only be achieved with write-once technology, today you can use a blockchain and encryption). Unfortunately we were in a country that didn't think 20-year-olds could design ... and the government didn't fund the second phase (after investing 3 years and having the 'green' light from doctors). I would say the fact that there's no broad HIS solution is a problem of the designers focusing too much in the technology and not decoupling functional requirements, non-functional requirements and user experience.