System Interoperability

For health care providers and organizations around the world, the achievement of system interoperability is an ever-present consideration and a constant challenge in their selection and implementation of health information technology solutions. Ideally, the technology solution that is chosen and put into use will work in concert with present and evolving standards and processes, but there are a number of factors that can slow or even prevent altogether the achievement of system harmony and integration.
To prepare for this Discussion, review this week's Resources.
• What factor do you consider to be the greatest impediment to achieving system interoperability within and between health care organizations? Why?
• Which type of clinical system or administrative system do you think would particularly benefit from interoperability? Why?
Reading materials:
Video: Laureate Education (Producer). (2009). Introduction to health informatics: Interoperability and standards[Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Course Text:Handbook of Informatics for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals

Chapter 13, "System Integration and Interoperability"

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
http://www.ansi.org/
Health Level Seven
http://www.hl7.org

World Health Organization (WHO): International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/