Interoperability in healthcare
Interoperability in healthcare refers to how information systems, devices, and applications access, exchange and cooperatively use data. Learn how seamless information flow among various healthcare organizations improves the quality, safety and efficiency of healthcare delivery.
Top Stories
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20 Aug 2025
TEFCA participants liable for federal information blocking rule
New FAQs clarify that penalties could apply for restricting TEFCA freedom of choice. Continue Reading
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12 Aug 2025
In or out? TEFCA participation rules limit some providers
Some providers may not seem to fit under the current definition of a HIPAA-covered entity, but one expert recommends a thorough review of transactions to check TEFCA eligibility. Continue Reading
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01 Aug 2023
The Role of MPI Tools in Health Data Interoperability, Patient Matching
Master patient index (MPI) tools aim to help healthcare organizations improve health data interoperability and patient matching for care coordination. Continue Reading
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31 Jul 2023
Health IT Vendor Surescripts Settles Antitrust Lawsuit with FTC
The FTC has reached a settlement with Surescripts that prohibits the health IT vendor from executing non-compete agreements with employees. Continue Reading
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14 Jul 2023
NYC HIE Partners with Health IT Vendor for SDOH Interoperability
The health IT collaboration will establish HIE infrastructure for SDOH interoperability across NYC and Long Island communities. Continue Reading
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13 Jul 2023
Civitas Adds New Members to Drive Collaboration, Interoperability
The non-profit centered on advancing healthcare interoperability has a diverse membership, including HIEs, strategic technology partners, and RHICs. Continue Reading
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12 Jul 2023
How a Patient Record 'Snapshot' is Driving HIE Data Access
Hixny, an HIE serving eastern New York, created a tool that aims to help improve data access through search and sort features. Continue Reading
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07 Jul 2023
NC Works to Boost Broadband Access to Support Rural HIE Connectivity
Efforts to improve broadband access are underway in North Carolina to help rural providers connect to the state-designated HIE. Continue Reading
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06 Jul 2023
EHR Data Quality Guidelines Needed to Drive Interoperability
The healthcare industry lacks standard EHR data quality assessment guidelines and tools, which hinders interoperability. Continue Reading
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05 Jul 2023
HHS OIG Releases Final Rule for Information Blocking Penalties
If the HHS OIG finds that an individual or entity has committed information blocking, they may be subject to up to a $1 million penalty. Continue Reading
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05 Jul 2023
HL7, WHO Partner to Drive Global Interoperability Standards Adoption
The collaboration between HL7 and WHO is set to support equitable development of and access to interoperability standards. Continue Reading
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30 Jun 2023
Georgia HIE Receives $1M USDA Grant to Improve Rural Healthcare Services
The Georgia Health Information Network is partnering with a regional HIE on a telehealth network to expand rural healthcare access. Continue Reading
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29 Jun 2023
Ohio HIE Expands Partnership to Drive Interoperability, Data Usability
CliniSync, an Ohio HIE, has selected an interoperability platform from health IT vendor Health Catalyst to improve data usability. Continue Reading
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28 Jun 2023
DirectTrust Releases Draft Criteria for RA Health IT Accreditation Programs
DirecTrust requests feedback on criteria for its updated suite of Registration Authority (RA) health IT accreditation programs until August 21st. Continue Reading
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16 Jun 2023
Almost Half of Hospitals Report Instances of Perceived Information Blocking
The 21st Century Cures Act Final Rule aims to curb any interference with electronic health information. Despite this, some hospitals still report possible instances of information blocking. Continue Reading
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16 Jun 2023
HIE Announces Health IT Partnership to Drive EHR Interoperability
Atlanta-based HI-BRIDGE HIE will collaborate with health IT vendor Innovar to improve EHR interoperability and reporting capabilities. Continue Reading
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15 Jun 2023
VA Officials Exploring Health IT, HIE Solutions to Improve Interoperability
At a recent House hearing, Sachin Yende, VA chief medical officer, said the agency is looking to improve veteran care coordination through enhanced health IT interoperability. Continue Reading
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13 Jun 2023
Public Health Reporting, Data Sharing Nearly Ubiquitous in Hospitals
Acute care hospitals saw a significant increase in public health reporting in 2022, with 96 percent actively participating, particularly in immunization, syndromic surveillance, and lab results reporting. Continue Reading
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08 Jun 2023
AWS, Interoperability Institute Partner on Virtual Innovation Center
The Interoperability Institute, a non-profit created by Michigan’s state HIE, is working with AWS on a project to accelerate health IT innovation. Continue Reading
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01 Jun 2023
51 Percent of Hospitals Plan to Participate in TEFCA HIE Framework
Hospitals participating in national HIE networks were more likely to report plans to join TEFCA than hospitals that do not share data with national HIEs. Continue Reading
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31 May 2023
Health System Completes Patient-Reported Outcome EHR Integration
EHR integration of patient-reported outcome data is set to support University of Miami clinicians in making treatment decisions. Continue Reading
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31 May 2023
Idaho Statewide HIE Changes Leadership Amidst Bankruptcy
After filing for bankruptcy in 2022, legislators have questioned how the HIE will move forward after receiving more than a decade of government support. Continue Reading
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22 May 2023
Health IT Vendor Integrates Generative AI Tool into Epic EHR
Epic EHR users can now participate in beta testing of generative AI features from health IT vendor Suki that aim to streamline EHR documentation. Continue Reading
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11 May 2023
Health IT Vendor Announces MEDITECH Expanse EHR Integration
The health IT vendor partnership extends Luma Health’s patient success platform to MEDITECH Expanse EHR customers, including patient scheduling workflows. Continue Reading
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08 May 2023
ACMI Symposium Outlines Public Health Interoperability Strategies
Experts said the public health interoperability infrastructure requires sustained funding and a workforce with skills to meet 21st-century health threats. Continue Reading
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01 May 2023
MI HIE Teams Up with AI/AN Tribe for Bidirectional Interoperability
The HIE partnership will enable patient data exchange between tribal and non-tribal providers for bidirectional interoperability. Continue Reading
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01 May 2023
How OCHIN Is Advancing Community Health Through Health IT Workforce Training
OCHIN recently received a $15M grant from the state of California to train 275 individuals to join the health IT workforce across community health centers. Continue Reading
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01 May 2023
Enabling Healthcare Interoperability with Fax to FHIR Solution
The power of fax to FHIR is becoming apparent in areas where paper-based workflows are prevalent and need to be made part of the larger interoperability ecosystem. Continue Reading
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24 Apr 2023
GAO: Small, Rural Hospital HIE Use Lags Larger Counterparts
While TEFCA could help mitigate HIE expenses for small, rural hospitals, stakeholders told GAO it doesn’t address connectivity barriers such as broadband access gaps. Continue Reading
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20 Apr 2023
HIE Consortium Releases Health Data Utility Maturity Model
The model aims to help state leaders advance the health data utility concept to address public health challenges through HIE. Continue Reading
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19 Apr 2023
Large Health IT Networks Unveil Plans to Become QHIN Under TEFCA
Joining as a QHIN under TEFCA intends to provide greater interoperability offerings and allow organizations to participate in a network that works together to share clinical data. Continue Reading
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17 Apr 2023
Microsoft, Epic Expand Partnership with OpenAI EHR Integration
According to Microsoft and Epic officials, the OpenAI Epic EHR integration will help increase productivity and improve health system financial integrity. Continue Reading
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13 Apr 2023
KLAS Highlights Innovative Partnerships for Health IT Interoperability
In its 2023 Points of Light report, KLAS showcases 25 successful collaborations centered on health IT interoperability and value-based care. Continue Reading
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12 Apr 2023
Alaska DOH Awards State HIE New Contract to Further Interoperability
The contract aims to help the HIE expand services in underserved rural and urban communities across the state. Continue Reading
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11 Apr 2023
ONC: 42% of Hospitals Reported Perceived Information Blocking in 2021
The ONC survey found that hospitals were more likely to report information blocking from healthcare providers than health IT developers. Continue Reading
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07 Apr 2023
ADA to Conduct National Survey on EDR, EHR Interoperability
The survey will gather dental providers’ perspectives on EDR and EHR interoperability to inform advocacy efforts. Continue Reading
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05 Apr 2023
Contexture HIE Upgrades to Unified Platform for Improved EHR Interoperability
The unified Contexture HIE platform will provide participants greater EHR interoperability and faster, more reliable data exchange between healthcare providers. Continue Reading
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04 Apr 2023
Nebraska HIE Expands PDMP Use for Public Health Surveillance
Nebraska used its PDMP technology to help address challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic by expanding HIE capabilities. Continue Reading
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31 Mar 2023
MEDITECH Partnership Focuses on Health Equity Data Collaboration
MEDITECH’s data collaboration with the Institute for Health Metrics aims to grow health equity data and provide hospitals nationwide with clinical and SDOH data and grant funding opportunities. Continue Reading
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30 Mar 2023
Why a Data Exchange Platform Is Vital to Healthcare Interoperability
Despite high adoption rates of health IT, there is still a clear disconnect in how health data is shared between organizations, making clear the need for a data integration platform. Continue Reading
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27 Mar 2023
EHR Vendor NextGen Launches Cloud-Based Healthcare Interoperability Tool
The cloud-based tool from EHR vendor NextGen aims to resolve healthcare interoperability challenges, such as high costs to maintain interfaces. Continue Reading
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27 Mar 2023
Oklahoma Moves Forward With Statewide Health Information Exchange Rules
Oklahoma Senate Bill 1369 mandates that all healthcare providers participate in the statewide health information exchange by July 1, 2023. Continue Reading
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23 Mar 2023
KLAS Names Epic, NextGen Top EHR Vendors for Interoperability
Epic deep adopters reported the most interoperability with in-home patient monitoring technology compared to other top EHR vendors, KLAS found. Continue Reading
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23 Mar 2023
Epic EHR Integration Looks to Streamline Genetic Testing Access
The Epic EHR integration will allow providers to access genetic testing information within their clinical workflows to support precision medicine. Continue Reading
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22 Mar 2023
OH HIE Partnership Focuses on Interoperability, Care Coordination
The Health Collaborative (THC) and Ohio Health Information Partnership (OHIP) have joined forces to enhance interoperability and care coordination, reflecting the growing trend of HIE consolidation. Continue Reading
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16 Mar 2023
Surescripts Unveils Latest Health Data Exchange, Interoperability Gains
Surescripts facilitated 21 billion secure health data exchange transactions in 2022, marking a significant milestone toward interoperability Continue Reading
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15 Mar 2023
CodeX Grows Steering Committee To Advance HL7 FHIR Interoperability
The five new CodeX Steering Committee members will help guide standards development for HL7 FHIR use cases, like genomic data interoperability. Continue Reading
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13 Mar 2023
CommonWell Health Alliance Adds EHR Vendor to Health Data Exchange
Customers of EHR vendor MEDHOST can now access and share records through the CommonWell health data exchange network of 34,000 clinical sites. Continue Reading
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08 Mar 2023
DirectTrust to Enhance Data Exchange Directory Through AWS Initiative
AWS support will advance DirectTrust’s Directory Improvement Initiative, which aims to deliver a more accurate directory for health data exchange. Continue Reading
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07 Mar 2023
Regenstrief Releases LOINC Updates to Support Health Data Exchange
Regenstrief added concepts to facilitate health data exchange for the monkeypox virus and COVID-19 evaluation methods in LOINC version 2.74. Continue Reading
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07 Mar 2023
Maryland HIE Expands Medicaid Redetermination Notification Project
The HIE notification project provides healthcare organizations with a secure report of patients facing Medicaid redetermination within the next 90 days. Continue Reading
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06 Mar 2023
ONC Outlines Health IT Interoperability Progress in Report to Congress
Health IT interoperability has grown significantly in the past decade, with 96 percent of hospitals using ONC-certified EHRs in 2021 compared to 28 percent in 2011. Continue Reading
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04 Mar 2023
Key Piece to Today’s Interoperability Puzzle: Cloud Fax
Digital cloud fax technology can fill an important interoperability need in the here and now. Continue Reading
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03 Mar 2023
3 Key Pieces to the Interoperability Puzzle: #3 Query-Based Exchange + Directed Exchange
Combining query-based and directed exchange gives clinical users a powerful tool to advance information sharing and improve patient care. Continue Reading
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01 Mar 2023
3 Key Pieces to the Interoperability Puzzle: #1 Query Based Exchange
Query-based exchange plays a key role in the sharing of patient information between healthcare organizations. Continue Reading
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28 Feb 2023
ONC, CMS Partner on Proposed Rules for HIE Interoperability
In December 2022, CMS proposed two rules that aim to align data standards across payers and healthcare providers to streamline HIE interoperability. Continue Reading
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27 Feb 2023
Memorial Healthcare System Taps Virtual Care Epic EHR Integration
The KeyCare Epic EHR integration expands patient access to virtual care providers, allowing Memorial Healthcare to widen its digital front doors. Continue Reading
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23 Feb 2023
The Sequoia Project Adds DoD, EHR Vendor Officials to Board
Representatives from Stanford Medicine Health Care, AHIMA, DoD, and EHR vendor OneRecord will bring fresh perspectives to The Sequoia Project board of directors. Continue Reading
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23 Feb 2023
ONC Toolkit Outlines Foundational Elements of SDOH Information Exchange
SDOH information exchange requires the alignment of hardware, software, data, processes, and standards, ONC officials emphasized. Continue Reading
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22 Feb 2023
DirectTrust Reports Over 72M Monthly Direct Secure Messages in 2022
The increasing number of direct secure messages sent and received via DirectTrust suggests a growing preference for direct secure messaging over faxing in the healthcare industry. Continue Reading
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21 Feb 2023
UCSF Looks to EHR Integration of Dental Records for Patient-Centered Care
An EHR integration at UCSF that merges medical and dental records is set to enhance patient-centered care delivery and foster innovation. Continue Reading
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13 Feb 2023
95% of Certified Health IT Developers Met ONC Cures Act Deadline
The ONC Cures Act Final Rule mandated certified health IT developers to provide FHIR-based APIs for providers and patients by December 31, 2022. Continue Reading
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08 Feb 2023
How An HIE Approaches Continuous Patient Data Quality Improvement
An HIE in Tennessee has tapped an AI-based platform to reduce duplicate patient EHRs as part of its patient data quality improvement efforts. Continue Reading
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01 Feb 2023
HealtheLINK HIE Reports Uptick in Health Data Exchange in 2022
In 2022, the HealtheLINK HIE delivered more than 1.1 million clinical results monthly, a 16 percent increase in health data exchange over 2021. Continue Reading
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31 Jan 2023
PCP Use of Community HIE Cuts Likelihood of Hospital Reutilization
While PCP use of community HIE lowered the chances of hospital reutilization, clinicians only looked up three percent of patients recently released from the hospital. Continue Reading
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30 Jan 2023
HIA Calls on Congress for Healthcare Interoperability, ePA Legislation
HIA called for policy to support healthcare interoperability through a standards-based, real-time approach to electronic prior authorization (ePA). Continue Reading
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24 Jan 2023
Regenstrief Institute Framework Addresses Patient Matching Accuracy
The eight-pronged framework will work as a ‘measuring stick,’ providing consistent guidelines to assess the accuracy of patient matching algorithms. Continue Reading
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24 Jan 2023
How EHR Integrations Can Tailor Patient Outreach for Value-Based Care
EHR integrations can help healthcare organizations conduct patient outreach to support value-based care delivery and improve population health. Continue Reading
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23 Jan 2023
Lack of Interoperability Exacerbates Staffing Shortages, Clinician Burnout
Provider organizations noted poor interoperability as the most common problem they need help addressing, as it worsens clinician burnout and staffing shortages. Continue Reading
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20 Jan 2023
MO Set to Launch Statewide Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
The enactment of this program will make Missouri the 50th to integrate prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data into the EHR. Continue Reading
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19 Jan 2023
Interoperability, Data Quality Leads the Way as Top Exec Priorities
Healthcare systems and hospital executives are focusing on interoperability initiatives as they seek to improve data quality and information sharing challenges in 2023. Continue Reading
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18 Jan 2023
DirectTrust Releases TNAP Version 2.0 Criteria for TEFCA Participants
The DirectTrust TNAP-Participant accreditation program demonstrates stakeholder compliance with TEFCA Participant requirements. Continue Reading
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17 Jan 2023
COVID-19 Sparks Health IT Market Growth in Telehealth EHR Integrations
Telehealth EHR integrations were twice as likely to contain specialized capabilities for COVID-19 response compared to all apps listed in EHR app galleries. Continue Reading
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17 Jan 2023
ONC Releases Draft US Core Data for Interoperability Version 4
ONC encourages the public to submit comments on the Draft United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) v4 until April 17. Continue Reading
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12 Jan 2023
Physicians in ACOs More Likely to Use HIE to Share Patient Data
While ACO participation is associated with higher HIE use, some physicians in emerging care models face barriers to data exchange, including a lack of connectivity. Continue Reading
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11 Jan 2023
ONC Releases 2023 Interoperability Standards Advisory Reference Edition
The 2023 ONC Interoperability Standards Advisory Reference Edition includes a new Human and Social Services subsection. Continue Reading
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05 Jan 2023
DirectTrust and Health Data Standards Org EHNAC Announce Completion of Merger
The EHNAC Commission will oversee health data standard accreditation-specific matters, and The DirectTrust Board of Directors will continue as is. Continue Reading
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04 Jan 2023
California HIE Earns NCQA Validated Data Stream Designation for Third Year
As an NCQA Validated Data Stream, California’s statewide health information exchange (HIE) helps reduce the burden of HEDIS reporting for payers. Continue Reading
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27 Dec 2022
What Are HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability (FHIR) Accelerators?
HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability (FHIR) accelerators aim to advance health data exchange for various use cases, like genomic data sharing. Continue Reading
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15 Dec 2022
The Sequoia Project Publishes Health Data Usability Implementation Guide
The data usability resource from The Sequoia Project covers topics like health data integrity, the effective use of codes, and data searchability. Continue Reading
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15 Dec 2022
FAST Releases Implementation Guides for HL7 FHIR Health Data Exchange
The FAST implementation guides cover data security and intermediary health data exchange topics within the HL7 FHIR environment. Continue Reading
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13 Dec 2022
eHealth Exchange HIE Reaches 1.35 Billion Health Data Requests Per Month
eHealth Exchange officials originally intended the health data exchange hub to support a million transactions per day, but now the HIE processes 33 million requests daily. Continue Reading
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09 Dec 2022
Epic Launches Website for Health IT Vendors to Report Interoperability
The site will be open to all health IT vendors, not just Epic App Market participants, to expedite vendors’ ability to demonstrate interoperability. Continue Reading
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08 Dec 2022
HL7 Calls on NCVHS to Designate FHIR as Clinical Attachments Data Standard
HL7 officials outlined how the FHIR data standard can support HIPAA-mandated prior authorization and clinical attachments workflows. Continue Reading
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08 Dec 2022
Bulk FHIR Could Boost Access to Immunization Data for Population Health
An open-source population health database tool that uses the Bulk FHIR protocol could synchronize the data in its system with the state immunization system for community-based efforts. Continue Reading
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02 Dec 2022
NextGen Healthcare Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire TSI Healthcare
NextGen Healthcare will work to expand specialty care services as a result of acquiring health IT vendor TSI Healthcare. Continue Reading
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01 Dec 2022
CMS Publishes RFI for National Healthcare Provider Directory Data Hub
According to a CAQH estimate, transitioning healthcare provider directory data to a single platform could save the healthcare system $1.1 billion annually. Continue Reading
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30 Nov 2022
CalHHS Launches Portal for State’s First Health Data Sharing Agreement
The data sharing agreement is the first step in the CalHHS Data Exchange Framework, which seeks to promote health equity through enhanced interoperability. Continue Reading
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23 Nov 2022
Pew Focuses Health IT Efforts on Public Health Data Sharing
After working to support policies for enhanced health IT use, Pew is looking to improve data sharing between providers and state public health agencies. Continue Reading
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22 Nov 2022
100+ Healthcare Organizations Join Texas HIE Network for Care Coordination
An HIE partnership has brought together healthcare organizations across Texas to share patient health data through a single platform for care coordination. Continue Reading
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18 Nov 2022
DirectTrust, EHNAC Merge to Advance Health Data Exchange Accreditation
The merger will help healthcare organizations better navigate the privacy and security hurdles that afflict health data exchange, an EHNAC official said. Continue Reading
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17 Nov 2022
MI HIE Hosts Community of Practice to Advance Social Care Data Interoperability
The Michigan HIE has convened eight social care platform vendors, including WellSky and Findhelp, to collaborate on social care data interoperability efforts. Continue Reading
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09 Nov 2022
WEDI Calls on HHS to Delay No Surprises Act Data Exchange Requirements
WEDI said that HHS should employ a glidepath approach to the No Surprises Act data exchange requirements until the industry has adopted data standards to support GFEs. Continue Reading
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01 Nov 2022
ONC Pilots Guide to Further SDOH Interoperability, Standards
The affinity group will define the exchange of SDOH data using the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard to support SDOH interoperability supported by ONC USCDI version 2. Continue Reading
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27 Oct 2022
CMS IPPS Policies Set to Advance Public Health Data Exchange
The CMS 2023 IPPS final rule requires antimicrobial use and resistance (AUR) data exchange to help advance public health reporting. Continue Reading
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13 Oct 2022
How AZ Drives Health Equity for American Indian Populations Through HIE
The initiative aims to drive health equity by incentivizing IHS facilities to participate in the HIE with a 2.5 percent increase over the standard Medicaid reimbursement rate. Continue Reading
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12 Oct 2022
Training, Interoperability Key for Electronic Health Information Sharing
Many organizations reported that training across and within departments, as well as with patients, was a priority for electronic health information sharing. Continue Reading
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11 Oct 2022
The Sequoia Project Seeks Feedback on Draft TEFCA FHIR Implementation Guide
The Sequoia Project has published a draft facilitated FHIR implementation guide, which includes proposed technical and process requirements for TEFCA data exchange. Continue Reading
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11 Oct 2022
MEDITECH Expands Collaborative Environments for Health IT Development
Health IT developers will have access to a collaborative environment that supports SMART on FHIR apps as part of the MEDITECH Greenfield Workspace. Continue Reading
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28 Sep 2022
Maryland Designates CRISP HIE as State Health Data Utility
The operation of the CRISP HIE as a health data utility is set to improve some of the state’s leading public health priorities, such as prescription drug monitoring. Continue Reading
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22 Sep 2022
The Sequoia Project Issues Final Set of Information Blocking Resources
The Sequoia Project has put together five resources to support stakeholders as they navigate the information blocking rules issued by ONC. Continue Reading
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19 Sep 2022
Collaboration Needed for Race, Ethnicity Data Collection, Exchange
Stakeholders should agree on race, ethnicity, and language data collection and validation approaches to advance data-driven health equity efforts. Continue Reading