Introduction

In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, interoperability has emerged as a driving force for improving patient outcomes. The ability of different software systems to exchange and utilize information seamlessly is crucial to providing the best level of patient care. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of interoperability in healthcare and how it can transform not only patient care but workflow.

What is Interoperability, and Why Is It Important?

Interoperability in healthcare is the ability for multiple systems in the same environment to share key information in a consistent format to add clinical value to every stage of the patient journey. This is critical to achieve timely, high quality patient outcomes. A fully interoperable environment enables the exchange of various data types via various transport methodologies, between key clinical stakeholders. The need for interoperability is particularly notable in a hospital setting where multiple departments involved in the care of a patient require access to patient data and information at different times and for different reasons. Having this information available at the right place and right time creates a cohesive workflow and patient experience.

 How does it work?

There are multiple avenues for data to be communicated, depending on the type of data and the security needs. Most commonly a Health level 7 (HL7) interface is used to connect multiple health information systems (RIS, LIS, PAS, EMR) for an easier, faster, and more secure exchange of data. Advanced gateways, like Kestral’s KMG+ can enable features to enhance security via SSL (secure sockets layer) capabilities, increase visibility via Advanced Alerting on messaging events and compatibility with emerging standards like FHIR.

 Integrations can extend beyond purely clinical use with solutions such as an API (Application Program Interface) that can be used for a more sophisticated level of data integration. This type of data communication, like that used in Kestral’s interop API empowers healthcare providers to integrate with ancillary workflow systems that best suit their needs which results in more efficient and patient-centric healthcare services.

 The role of standards in healthcare interoperability 

 In the realm of healthcare interoperability, adherence to standards is paramount. HL7 has been marked as the gold standard for data exchange in healthcare historically. The future of healthcare data interoperability is in development as FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) standards are being defined. At Kestral, we are proud to be actively embracing standards like HL7 and contributing to the development of the FHIR standards to enhance the quality of healthcare services in the future.

Conclusion 

At Kestral, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of healthcare interoperability. Our dedication to providing creative and innovative solutions through integrations with our trusted partners ensures that our customers can design their workflows that best suit their needs. With expertise in various forms of integration, we enable healthcare providers to achieve a higher level of data integration, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. The power of interoperability in healthcare is undeniable, and Kestral is leading the way toward a more connected and patient-centric healthcare system.