Standards and interoperability in healthcare information systems: Current status, problems, and research issues

Data interoperability is a key ingredient for modern health information technology. Interoperability of healthcare information systems is essential for the communication of critical data, as well as for leveraging the vast amounts of data gathered to conduct research, analyze trends, improve safety, and reduce healthcare costs. One of the critical components for enabling interoperability is the availability of data standards. This paper presents, from a practitioner’s perspective, a broad overview of the current status of healthcare data standards and an analysis of the problems with current standards including gaps, redundancies, and varying data exchange requirements that prevent seamless data exchange between healthcare information systems. This paper concludes by identifying problems related to healthcare information systems standardization and interoperability and potential issues for future research that can address the given problems

Standards and Interoperability in Healthcare Information Systems: Current Status, Problems, and Research Issues

Data interoperability is a key ingredient for modern health information technology. Interoperability of healthcare information systems is essential for the communication of critical data, as well as for leveraging the vast amounts of data gathered to conduct research, analyze trends, improve safety, and reduce healthcare costs. One of the critical components for enabling interoperability is the availability of data standards. This paper presents, from a practitioner’s perspective, a broad overview of the current status of healthcare data standards and an analysis of the problems with current standards including gaps, redundancies, and varying data exchange requirements that prevent seamless data exchange between healthcare information systems. This paper concludes by identifying problems related to healthcare information systems standardization and interoperability and potential issues for future research that can address the given problems

Investigation Interoperability Problems in Pharmacy Automation: A Case Study in Saudi Arabia

The aim of this case study is to investigate the nature of interoperability problems in hospital systems automation. One of the advanced healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia is the host of the study. The interaction between the pharmacy system and automated medication dispensing cabinets is the focus of the case system. The research method is a detailed case study where multiple data collection methods are used. The modelling of the processes of inpatient pharmacy systems is presented using Business Process Model Notation. The data collected is analysed to study the different interoperability problems. This paper presents a framework that classifies health informatics interoperability implementation problems into technical, semantic, organisational levels. The detailed study of the interoperability problems in this case illustrates the challenges to the adoption of health information system automation which could help other healthcare organisations in their system automation projects

A Unified Health Information System Framework for Connecting Data, People, Devices, and Systems

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the necessity for pervasive data and system interoperability to manage healthcare information and knowledge. There is an urgent need to better understand the role of interoperability in improving the societal responses to the pandemic. This paper explores data and system interoperability, a very specific area that could contribute to fighting COVID-19. Specifically, the authors propose a unified health information system framework to connect data, systems, and devices to increase interoperability and manage healthcare information and knowledge. A blockchain-based solution is also provided as a recommendation for improving the data and system interoperability in healthcare

Consideration the Relationship between ICT and Ehealth

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are potentially powerful instruments to strengthen health systems, with innovations ranging from electronic health records to transmission of clinical data. Information and communication technologies have already become inseparable part of healthcare sector activities. In the paper we present existing solutions of ehealth and ambient assisted living systems developed by researchers of the Faculty of management and economics University in allame Tabatabae. We also touch the issue of interoperability that is crucial for correct interconnection of medical and other devices and information systems. We propose a high level functional architecture of a system that can satisfy the requirements of interoperability. Keywords:  information technology; communication technology; eHealth; mHealth; interoperability; healthcare

Accessing Patient Records in Virtual Healthcare Organisations

The ARTEMIS project is developing a semantic web service based P2P interoperability infrastructure for healthcare information systems that will allow healthcare providers to securely share patient records within virtual healthcare organisations. Authorisation decisions to access patient records across organisation boundaries can be very dynamic and must occur within a strict legislative framework. In ARTEMIS we are developing a dynamic authorisation mechanism called PBAC that provides a means of contextual and process oriented access control to enforce healthcare business processes. PBAC demonstrates how healthcare providers can dynamically share patient records for care pathways across organisation boundaries

HAPI-FHIR Server Implementation to Enhancing Interoperability among Primary Care Health Information Systems in Sri Lanka: Review of the Technical Use Case

This review underscores the vital role of interoperability in digital health, advocating for a standardized framework. It focuses on implementing a Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) server, addressing technical, semantic, and process challenges. FHIR's adaptability ensures uniformity within Primary Care Health Information Systems, fostering interoperability. Patient data management complexities highlight the pivotal role of semantic interoperability in seamless patient care. FHIR standards enhance these efforts, offering multiple pathways for data search. The ADR-guided FHIR server implementation systematically addresses challenges related to patient identity, biometrics, and data security. The detailed development phases emphasize architecture, API integration, and security. The concluding stages incorporate forward-looking approaches, including HHIMS Synthetic Dataset testing. Envisioning FHIR integration as transformative, it anticipates a responsive healthcare environment aligned with the evolving digital health landscape, ensuring comprehensive, dynamic, and interconnected systems for efficient data exchange and access.Comment: HAPI-FHIR Server, Interoperability, Primary Care Health Information Systems, Health Information System

Managing as Designing: Transforming Digital Healthcare Interoperability

Digital healthcare transformations promise improved overall quality healthcare and patient continued care among others. However, quality healthcare and continued patient care can be hampered by various challenges including insufficient collaboration among healthcare centers, and limited data exchanges between health information systems (HIS). Such challenges can be overcome through collaborative digital healthcare initiatives in which, HIS are designed with data exchange capabilities that enable healthcare centers to easily exchange patient information across boundaries. However, several existing initiatives are carried out in isolation, and there is limited practical knowledge on how to collaboratively manage and design HIS’ interoperability. Consequently, this study investigated a managing as designing (MaD) approach taken by a successful HIS interoperability initiative in Sweden. Data was collected mainly through interviews with key informants within the implementation team. Based on study findings, a MaD HIS-interoperability conceptual framework that can guide the management and design of future HIS’ interoperability was developed

Enhancing interoperability among health information systems in low- and middle- income countries: a review of challenges and strategies

The review article aims to provide an overview of the challenges and strategies for enhancing interoperability among health information systems in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). Achieving interoperability in LMICs presents unique challenges due to various factors, such as limited resources, fragmented health information systems, and diverse health IT infrastructure. The methodology involves conducting a comprehensive literature review, synthesising findings, identifying challenges and strategies, analysing and interpreting results, and writing and finalising the article. The article highlights that the interoperability challenges include a lack of standardisation, fragmented systems, limited resources, and data privacy concerns. The article proposes strategies to enhance interoperability in LMICs, such as standardisation of data formats and protocols, consolidation of health information systems, investment in health IT infrastructure, and capacity building of health IT professionals in LMICs. The article aims to provide insights into the current state and potential strategies for enhancing interoperability among health information systems in LMICs, intending to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes in these KEYWORDS Interoperability, Health information systems, low and middle-income countries (LMICs), challenges, strategies, standardisatio

A Review of Issues in Healthcare Information Management Systems and Blockchain Solutions

Healthcare is a data-driven domain where a large volumes of data are created, accessed, stored, and disseminated daily. In this paper, issues such as security, privacy, data transparency, interoperability, data accessibility, user interface issues in healthcare information management systems are presented. In addition, blockchain technology related studies in healthcare information systems are discussed with the aim to find what issues in healthcare system present research opportunities using blockchains