Health Information Standards: Ensuring Interoperability in Healthcare - Research Paper

Introduction

Although health information technology has improved the management of data in the healthcare sector, interoperability continues to pose challenges. Health information standards contribute to developing standardized procedures for sharing data to ensure the compatibility of the computer system (Bourquard, Orlova & Parisot, 2017). The standards development organization has the responsibility of developing national and international standards regarding information sharing in the healthcare sector. However, it has not harmonized systems and standards, suggesting that organizations use varied procedures and regulations. On this basis, some experts argue that information technology has improved data and information management; while others argue that it has limited impact.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Research Question

The research aims to find out the impact of health information standards. Although many organizations have implemented information technologies, they continue to face the interoperability challenges. There are no specific standards and procedures regarding the use and sharing of information between departments (Butler, 2019). Therefore, the assignment investigates the impact of health information standards.

Health Information Standards

A health information standard is a process of developing policies and regulations, guiding information and data sharing across departments and organizations. It is an important element towards maintaining quality in information sharing and ensuring consistency for effective decision-making. The standards can be national or international. Standardization helps to capture critical clinical information and apply it in different aspects like electronic health records (Orlova, Warner & Rhodes, 2016). At the moment, various organizations adopt different systems making it difficult to harmonize information sharing. These standards include data standards, such as terminologies and vocabularies, the content of the information, standards of exchanging the information professionally, standards for identifiers, information privacy and security and standards regarding functionality. The healthcare industry has changed and consumers of the services expect providers to use technology to enhance interaction and offer a personalized experience. However, this can happen if health information technology is standardized across organizations.

Interoperability and any Current Issues

Interoperability means the process of capturing and communicating data accurately, securely and effectively. It involves promoting standardization in information sharing using different information technology systems, such as software applications (Labow, 2016). Also, it involves sharing data and information in a way that there is no alternation, and this would improve the decision-making process across different departments.

The interoperability approach is based on three frameworks. They include semantic, technical and functional interoperability. It supports information within and outside organizations through health information technology, as well as making information available to all users. Organizations achieve interoperability by ensuring the compatibility of various systems for purposes of healthcare provision (Williams, 2017). Although healthcare organizations are benefiting from electronic health records, the systems do not meet the needs and expectations of healthcare professionals since most systems are not compatible with interoperability. Issues currently affecting the healthcare sector include the lack of relevant and accurate information for clinicians at any particular time, inadequate documentation and some information shared is not accurate. In the process of sharing information, some data get lost; hence, it is not consistent.

HL7 and How This Pertains To Health Information Standards

HL7 is a non-profit international organization that provides a detailed framework for sharing and exchanging information, integration, and retrieval at any particular time. Its standards determine how organizations share collect, store and share information between individuals and organizations (Rhodes, 2016). It relates to health information standards in the sense that it provides standard procedures for sharing information to help in clinical practice, such as evaluation of healthcare information. Individuals and organizations in the healthcare sector must share information accurately to avoid the wrong diagnosis and improve the efficiency of service delivery. Its categories of standards include primary standardization, electronic health records and the architecture of the clinical document. Therefore, it supports standardization and accuracy in the healthcare sector.

The Need for Health Information Standard

HL7 is vital since it promotes health information standards. Although information technology has penetrated in the sector, interoperability is a challenge; hence, the need to promote health information standardization (Rhodes, 2016). In this regard, the first need is that it helps to promote the integration of national health information, providing citizens with an opportunity to access information regarding their health. For example, it can help patients suffering from the same conditions to create groups where they share their experiences.

Also, it helps healthcare professionals to have free access to patient information, as long as they are authorized. The information is accurate and standardized across various organizations. As a result, it improves efficiency in service delivery (Bailey-Woods, Munns, Orlova, Rhodes, & Warner, 2015). Also, it promotes an interactive approach between patients and service users and this would improve the quality of healthcare services. Therefore, standardization is essential because it improves information and data management in the healthcare sector.

Conclusion

The use of information technology in the healthcare sector has improved data management and efficiency of business operations. However, interoperability is affecting the successful implementation of the health information systems. As a result, standardization of the health information system is vital since it promotes accuracy, consistency, and efficiency in the healthcare sector. The system ensures no alteration of data and information.

References

Bourquard, K., Orlova, A., & Parisot, C. (2017). "Understanding User Needs for Interoperability: Collaborative Approach" Journal of AHIMA, 88(10), 58-66.

Butler, M. (2019). "Are We There Yet?" Journal of AHIMA, 90(10), 12-15.

Orlova, A., Warner, D., & Rhodes, H. (2016). "Connecting Functional and Semantic Interoperability-The HIM Professional's Role in HIT Standardization" Journal of AHIMA, 87(11), 44-47.

Labow, K. (2016)."Making the Call for Patient Experience: Using Health IT to Address Gaps in Patient Data-Sharing, Communication, and Interoperability" Journal of AHIMA 87(8), 20-22.

Williams, P. (2017)."Standards for Safety, Security, and Interoperability of Medical Devices in an Integrated Health Information Environment" Journal of AHIMA 88(4), 32-34.

Bailey-Woods, L., Munns, M., Orlova, A., Rhodes, H., Warner, D., (2015). "Guiding the Development of Health Information Technology Standards for HIM Practices" Journal of AHIMA, 86(8), 40-43.

Rhodes, H. (2016). "Standards Activities Respond to Consumer Mobile Health IT Trends" Journal of AHIMA, 87(1), 40-43.