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 Oct 2026
Texas HIE partnership aims to boost data sharing for critical care
Care intelligence platform Bamboo Health has partnered with the Texas Health Services Authority's HIE to enable bidirectional data sharing for healthcare providers and payers throughout the Lone Star State. Continue Reading
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12 Oct 2026
EHR interoperability gaps threaten to limit AI's potential
In our second story in a series on AI in healthcare, healthcare leaders discuss the challenges in getting AI tools to work as intended amid EHR integration and interoperability challenges. Continue Reading
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14 Apr 2021
Strengthening Patient Care as a Rural Health Information Exchange
Montana’s statewide health information exchange launched just a few months ago and its leaders are leveraging outside solutions to improve patient care in the rural state. Continue Reading
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13 Apr 2021
Integrating a COVID-19 Discharge Pathway Tool into the EHR
The COVID-19 discharge process can be complex, but a Colorado-based health system integrated an EHR tool to improve patient care and mitigate clinician burnout. Continue Reading
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09 Apr 2021
Central Texas FQHC Launches Epic EHR to Boost Interoperability
CommUnityCare Health Centers connected its 30 Central Texas locations through Epic EHR interoperability. Continue Reading
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09 Apr 2021
Why is Genomic Data EHR Integration Important?
Genomic data testing is becoming more prevalent in medicine, making it even more important to enable it for EHR integration? Continue Reading
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06 Apr 2021
API Adoption Slow, Widespread FHIR Uptake Expected by 2024
Although API adoption is limited, survey respondents predicted widespread Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) API adoption by 2024. Continue Reading
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05 Apr 2021
Local Nonprofit HIE Ends Battle Against Oklahoma Statewide HIE
The Oklahoma State Health Information Exchange will officially move forward with a global vendor for its health IT support. Continue Reading
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02 Apr 2021
What to Look for in Application Programming Interfaces?
Interoperability, increased detail, accuracy, and timeliness are critical for application programming interface (API) developers and consumers. Continue Reading
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01 Apr 2021
CT to Implement Statewide Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
Following a $1.3 million grant from CMS, Connecticut pharmacies across the state will now be able to query its statewide prescription drug monitoring program. Continue Reading
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01 Apr 2021
NY Health Information Exchange Strives to Mitigate Childhood Obesity
A NY regional health information exchange developed a public health tool that focuses on childhood obesity and utilizes social determinants of health. Continue Reading
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30 Mar 2021
Tripathi: ONC Working to Boost Interoperability, COVID-19 Response
ONC head, Micky Tripathi, detailed a basic FHIR approach to COVID-19 vaccine scheduling during a virtual meeting on Monday. Continue Reading
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30 Mar 2021
NYeC to Develop Social Determinants of Health Initiative
HHS awarded New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC) and a United Way of New York State subsidiary for their social determinants of health (SDOH) data initiative. Continue Reading
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29 Mar 2021
Pew Calls for Electronic Case Reporting for Potential Pandemics
Three healthcare stakeholder groups said the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) could require electronic case reporting (eCR) through federal mandates to improve public health during and after COVID-19. Continue Reading
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29 Mar 2021
Digitizing Information Exchange to Reduce Physician Burnout
Improving health data exchange is crucial for independent practices to be stay in operation and be ready for what's ahead. Continue Reading
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26 Mar 2021
Stages of Health Information Exchange Implementation
Providers and health IT professionals across the country are demanding health information exchange, but developing a sufficient infrastructure is challenging. Continue Reading
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25 Mar 2021
Major CA FQHC Connects to Nonprofit Health Information Exchange
The Southern California federal qualified health center (FQHC) provides low-and-no-cost healthcare to Los Angeles County’s underserved population. Continue Reading
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24 Mar 2021
How Health Information Exchange Facilitated COVID-19 Follow-Up
Clinicians at a New York-based VA medical facility utilized health information exchange alerts to facilitate COVID-19 symptom follow-up. Continue Reading
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19 Mar 2021
How HIEs Can Prepare Clients for the ONC Interoperability Rule
Health information exchanges (HIEs) will play a critical role in how providers will comply with the ONC Interoperability Rule. Continue Reading
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18 Mar 2021
HHS Awards Funding to Boost Patient Data Exchange in NY
Two regional health information exchanges in New York will leverage HHS funding to improve COVID-19 patient data exchange in their respective regions. Continue Reading
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18 Mar 2021
Using Health Information Exchange Data Boosts Quality Reporting
Health information exchange data integration impacted 19 percent of patients in 42 of the study’s 53 participating healthcare organizations. Continue Reading
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17 Mar 2021
How Regenstrief Institute Has Enhanced COVID-19 Reporting in Indiana
COVID-19 reporting has been a significant challenge across the country, but Regenstrief Institute had the ability to leverage a strong statewide health information exchange to mitigate this challenge. Continue Reading
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16 Mar 2021
How an EHR Suicide Risk Assessment Tool Can Streamline Workflows
The EHR suicide risk assessment tool recorded 129 attempts for 85 individuals at a major health system. Continue Reading
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16 Mar 2021
Clinical Decision Support Improves Patient Clinical Outcomes
Clinical decision support tools have a significant impact on both clinician performance and patient outcomes for many diseases. Continue Reading
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15 Mar 2021
Department of Defense Launches COVID-19 Vaccine EHR Solution
The Department of Defense’s COVID-19 vaccine EHR solution deployed at the largest Marine Corps base. Continue Reading
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15 Mar 2021
Clinicians Unlikely to Access Patient Genomic Data in the EHR
Researchers evaluated EHR access logs to learn clinicians only viewed 1 percent of patient genomic data. Continue Reading
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12 Mar 2021
Half of Providers Don’t Utilize Health Information Exchange
EHR vendors were the most significant factor of provider health information exchange use. Continue Reading
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11 Mar 2021
HHS Awards HIE Funding to Boost Patient Data Exchange in Texas
Texas Health Services Authority and a regional health information exchange will utilize this funding to boost patient data exchange between immunization information systems and HIEs. Continue Reading
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10 Mar 2021
MEDITECH Launches Genomics EHR Solution to Boost Precision Medicine
MEDITECH users can now receive, store, and view genomic data in one, streamlined workflow. Continue Reading
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08 Mar 2021
APIs Need Increased Standardization, Tools to Lift Data Research
The ONC final interoperability rule should trigger API utilization and standardization. Continue Reading
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08 Mar 2021
Team-Based Approach Key to Boost EHR Public Health Reporting
EHR systems have struggled to effectively manage public health reporting during COVID-19. Continue Reading
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04 Mar 2021
EHR Interoperability Continues to Climb in Acute Care Hospitals
Over half of acute care hospitals reported engagement in all four domains of EHR interoperability in 2019. Continue Reading
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03 Mar 2021
VA Health Information Exchange Implementation Barriers
Health IT leaders at US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Indiana’s statewide health information exchange pointed at training and sustainability as two key implementation hurdles. Continue Reading
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02 Mar 2021
CA Provider Coalition to Support a State Health Information Exchange
A group of California healthcare organizations and stakeholders have banded together to support the development of a new statewide health information exchange (HIE). Continue Reading
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02 Mar 2021
3 Ways the Biden Admin, HHS Could Boost Patient Data Sharing
Effective and accurate patient data sharing could give a boost to public health organizations and decrease the spread of COVID-19. Continue Reading
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01 Mar 2021
eHealth Exchange Promotes Patient Data Exchange Across Health Orgs
eHealth Exchange users reported high customer satisfaction across multiple areas, including patient data exchange and interoperability. Continue Reading
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26 Feb 2021
Regenstrief to Implement COVID-19 Dataset Codes with ONC Funds
Health IT leaders at Regenstrief Institute said it will utilize nearly $2 million in funding to develop additional COVID-19 standardized codes to the LOINC dataset. Continue Reading
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25 Feb 2021
USQHIN Launches ADT Network to Advance Interoperability Goals
The ADT network will combine health IT vendors, health information exchanges, health systems, payers, and government agencies to advance interoperability goals and public health use cases. Continue Reading
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24 Feb 2021
Orgs Push Digital Medicine, EHR Tool to Advance Digestive Health
Four major healthcare research facilities are teaming up to develop a digestive health toolkit using digital medicine to implement into the EHR. Continue Reading
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24 Feb 2021
DirectTrust ADT Notifications Guide Looks at Interoperability Rule
The implementation guide intends to add increased context to ADT notifications and improve provider-to-provider communication. Continue Reading
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22 Feb 2021
How DirectTrust Managed Direct Secure Messaging During COVID-19
The health data exchange has facilitated over 2 billion Direct Secure Messages after a tumultuous, yet record-breaking, 2020. Continue Reading
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19 Feb 2021
What is an Immunization Information System, Why is it Important?
Forty-nine states have integrated an immunization information system into the EHR, which helps streamline patient immunization data during COVID-19 vaccination distribution. Continue Reading
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18 Feb 2021
How a Rural HIE Boosted its Public Health Reporting, Data Exchange
Providers in North Dakota were utilizing paper forms before COVID-19, but the statewide HIE streamlined the process for faster public health reporting and patient data exchange results. Continue Reading
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18 Feb 2021
AZ Health Information Exchange to Integrate SDOH Data Tool
Implementing an SDOH tool into Arizona’s statewide health information exchange will provide increased information about this data for its participants and boost interoperability. Continue Reading
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15 Feb 2021
Local Nonprofit HIE Appeals Oklahoma Statewide HIE Denial
The local nonprofit HIE has delivered an appeal to state officials after the Oklahoma statewide HIE denied its January protest. Continue Reading
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10 Feb 2021
ONC Adds 3 Key Updates to Interoperability Standards Advisory
The ONC Interoperability Standards Advisory will now include COVID-19 and public health emergency sections. Continue Reading
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10 Feb 2021
Florida Launches PULSE Platform for Emergency Patient Data Exchange
Add Florida to the list of states that will have an increase in emergency patient data exchange during natural disasters and public health emergencies. Continue Reading
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09 Feb 2021
Top Healthcare Orgs Launch Information Blocking Resource Center
A group of healthcare organizations published the Information Blocking Resource Center to educate stakeholders for the upcoming information blocking compliance dates. Continue Reading
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09 Feb 2021
NY HIE Hits Record Number of EHR Alerts, Patient Data Lookups
COVID-19 triggered a severe increase in EHR alerts and patient data lookups across Western New York healthcare organizations. Continue Reading
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08 Feb 2021
DirectTrust Streamlines 2B Direct Secure Messages Since 2014
The health data exchange has facilitated over 2 billion Direct Secure Messages after a record number of patient data exchange transactions in the 2020 fourth quarter. Continue Reading
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08 Feb 2021
Two Use Cases for Improving Outcomes with ADT Notifications: Part III
Learn how two large health systems realized better health outcomes by creating efficient ADT notifications. Continue Reading
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05 Feb 2021
Health Information Exchanges Form Consortium for Interoperability
A group of six major health information exchanges across the country have formed a consortium to increase interoperability and patient data exchange. Continue Reading
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04 Feb 2021
CT Health Information Exchange Inks 25 Providers to Expand Network
The Connecticut statewide health information exchange added 25 healthcare providers in an effort to expand its list of clients before its future go-live. Continue Reading
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02 Feb 2021
How a Health Information Exchange Can Boost COVID-19 Vaccination
Two healthcare professionals from Brookings Institution explained how public health officials can leverage health information exchange platforms to monitor COVID-19 vaccination statuses and outbreaks. Continue Reading
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02 Feb 2021
Texas HIE Develops Clinically Integrated Network to Boost Care
A Texas HIE partnered with a local independent physician group to develop a clinically integrated network to improve care and reduce costs in the region. Continue Reading
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29 Jan 2021
Nebraska Health Information Exchange Joins SDOH Data Group
The Nebraska statewide health information exchange got a social determinants of health (SDOH) data boost after joining the Gravity Project. Continue Reading
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28 Jan 2021
Oklahoma Statewide HIE Denies Protest from Local Nonprofit HIE
The Oklahoma statewide HIE will move forward with Orion Health after denying a less expensive bid from a local nonprofit HIE. Continue Reading
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27 Jan 2021
CT Health Information Exchange Hits Snag, Uncertain Future Remains
The Connecticut statewide health information exchange has failed for the fourth time, resulting in a $43 million loss. Continue Reading
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26 Jan 2021
Providers, Vendors Trending Upwards in Achieving Interoperability
Providers noted increased EHR usability and functionality improvements, which would boost interoperability and patient data exchange in the future. Continue Reading
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25 Jan 2021
Adventist Signs Onto California HIE to Boost Patient Data Exchange
Manifest MedEx, California’s statewide health information exchange (HIE), added over 7 million patients to its robust network, giving a patient data exchange increase across the state. Continue Reading
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21 Jan 2021
Health Pros: Pragmatic Over Perfect for Increased Interoperability
Three healthcare professionals recommend a more pragmatic approach to functional interoperability, rather than chasing perfection. Continue Reading
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20 Jan 2021
Local Nonprofit HIE Files Protest Against Oklahoma Statewide HIE
MyHealth Access Network is filing a protest against the new Oklahoma statewide health information exchange (HIE) after it tapped a global health IT vendor for its infrastructure. Continue Reading
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19 Jan 2021
HHS to Award Funding to Boost Immunization Information Systems, HIEs
HHS will allocate upwards of $20 million in investments to increase patient data sharing between immunization information systems and health information exchanges (HIEs). Continue Reading
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19 Jan 2021
Skilled Nursing Facilities Lack Enhanced Patient Data Sharing
Skilled nursing facilities need more accurate and timely patient data sharing between hospitals and these facilities. Continue Reading
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15 Jan 2021
Epic, Cerner, Health IT Vendors Form Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Coalition
A group of health IT developers and stakeholders, including Epic and Cerner, formed a digital COVID-19 vaccine coalition to support patients with secure access to vaccine records. Continue Reading
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14 Jan 2021
ONC Releases US Core Data for Interoperability Draft Version 2
Following recommendations from USCDI v1, ONC prioritized key data elements that are most relevant and broadly applicable to boost interoperability. Continue Reading
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13 Jan 2021
The Sequoia Project to Launch Emergency Preparedness Workgroup
The workgroup will gather emergency preparedness experts from health information exchanges across the country. Continue Reading
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11 Jan 2021
Information Blocking by EHR Vendors, Health Systems Still Prevalent
About half of the more than 100 health information exchange respondents said EHR vendors practice information blocking. Continue Reading
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11 Jan 2021
How Health IT Interoperability Will Impact Healthcare in 2021
The unexpectedness of 2020 will lead to greater patient data exchange, interoperability, and innovation. Continue Reading
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08 Jan 2021
AR Rural Hospitals Get Help to Boost Health Information Exchange
A $250K grant aims to improve health information exchange for 14 rural hospitals and other care sites in Arkansas. Continue Reading
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05 Jan 2021
Pew Urges ONC, CMS to Support APIs to Boost Patient Data Exchange
The Pew Charitable Trusts urged the ONC to implement its information blocking rules on time following a COVID-19 delay. Continue Reading
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30 Dec 2020
Year in Review: Most Read EHR, Interoperability Stories of 2020
COVID-19 put interoperability and electronic health records (EHRs) under the microscope in 2020. Continue Reading
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23 Dec 2020
Epic Systems Tops Major EHR Vendors in Health IT Interoperability
Every top EHR vendor has its interoperability flaws, but Epic Systems and Cerner have made significant strides over the last few years. Continue Reading
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15 Dec 2020
Tips to Integrate Social Determinants of Health Data into the EHR
Integrating social determinants of health (SDOH) data into the EHR can help providers and researchers gain insight on COVID-19. Continue Reading
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14 Dec 2020
CMS Proposes Rule to Streamline Prior Authorization, Data Exchange
The proposed rule intends to improve patient data exchange, interoperability, and clinical workflows by streamlining prior authorization. Continue Reading
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11 Dec 2020
EHR Tool Predicts Hospital Readmission Rates for Diabetes Patients
Researchers at Temple University developed an EHR tool to cut costs and predict hospital readmission rates for patients with diabetes. Continue Reading
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09 Dec 2020
Epic Systems Hits Record 221M Patient Data Exchanges in October
Following another COVID-19 surge in October, Epic Systems noted a 40 percent increase in patient data exchanges from October 2019. Continue Reading
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02 Dec 2020
How to Integrate a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program into the EHR
Executing a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) EHR integration only takes a number of steps. Continue Reading
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30 Nov 2020
Increased ePrescribing Interoperability is Needed for Patient Safety
A study showed further research is needed to increase patient safety and decrease prescription drug errors for community pharmacies that utilize ePrescribing. Continue Reading
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24 Nov 2020
A Unique Patient Identifier Decreases Adverse Drug Interactions
Over a three-year period, pharmacies with a unique patient identifier lessened the chances of serious drug-to-drug interactions. Continue Reading
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17 Nov 2020
UC San Diego Accelerates Interoperability with Local EHR Integration
UC San Diego increased its interoperability and its COVID-19 response when it integrated its roughly 60,000 EHRs into nearby UC San Diego Health. Continue Reading
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16 Nov 2020
How a Health System Cut Opioid Prescribing Rates, Clinician Burden
Norton Healthcare, Kentucky’s largest health system, decreased clinician burden and mitigated its opioid epidemic by integrating a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) tool into its EHR. Continue Reading
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02 Nov 2020
What It Means to Go Beyond ADT Notification Requirement: Part II
The ADT requirement can help close care gaps and reduce readmissions when appropriately and widely used. Continue Reading
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26 Oct 2020
How Hospitals Comply with the ADT CoP Requirement: Part I
Hospitals have to demonstrate compliance with a CMS requirement for ADT event notifications. Continue Reading
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16 Oct 2020
Best Practices to Fulfill the ONC Interoperability Rule
With a number of ONC interoperability rule compliance dates on the horizon, providers and health information exchanges will need to make some changes to adapt to these rules. Continue Reading
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12 Oct 2020
Exploring 3 Levels of Health Information Exchange, Data Access
Health information exchanges across the country are boosting interoperability by connecting at the state, regional, and national levels. Continue Reading
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05 Oct 2020
DE Starts Prescription Drug Monitoring Program EHR Integration
Delaware providers will now benefit from the EHR integration of the state’s prescription drug monitoring program. Continue Reading
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30 Sep 2020
What is a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, EHR Integration?
Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are a game-changer for prescribers to help fight the opioid epidemic. Continue Reading
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22 Sep 2020
How COVID-19 Accelerated the Digital Transformation of Healthcare
Transformation, innovation, and connection are three main healthcare principals that have been put under a microscope during COVID-19. Continue Reading
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02 Sep 2020
COVID-19 Triggers ePrescribing, Direct Messaging Increase
Surescripts’ ePrescribing platform hit the 1 million prescriber mark during the spread of COVID-19. Continue Reading
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16 Jun 2020
What is a National Patient Identifier and Why is It Important?
Patient matching has been a hot button issue for over two decades and the National Patient Identifier could be the final answer. Continue Reading
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02 Jun 2020
EHRs, Interoperability Must Evolve to Integrate Genomic Data
In an effort to maximize the benefits of genomic data, EHRs can enhance interoperability by promoting patient data access. Continue Reading
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03 Apr 2020
Integrating Social Determinants of Health into the EHR
Addressing social determinant requires integration of this information into the EHR. Otherwise, providers will not be able to use it for clinical decision-making. Continue Reading
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19 Mar 2020
VA Preparing for April Launch of Health Information Exchange
A doctor from the Department of Veterans Affairs explained why veterans should feel safe and secure with their health information under their new system, the Veterans Health Information Exchange (VHIE). Continue Reading
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12 Mar 2020
3 Consequences of Patient Matching, Health Record Issues
Patient safety, hospital finances, and patient privacy are all at risk when patient matching falls short. Continue Reading
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20 May 2019
What EHR Adoption Means to the Future of Interoperability
With EHR adoption nearing full saturation, healthcare organizations now must undertake the challenge of integrating new technology and sources of data. Continue Reading
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06 Sep 2017
NQF Framework Aims to Improve Interoperability Measurement
A goal of the interoperability measurement framework is to satisfy provisions of 21st Century Cures Act. Continue Reading