Vendor Selection Criteria: Interoperability

Interoperability

When selecting a vendor for EHR implementation, interoperability or functionality should be considered. In a 2015 publication, "What makes an EHR "open" or interoperable?" there were five cases where interoperability should be considered when selecting an EHR. The following should be considered:

• Clinicians- essential to provide safe and effective care
• Researchers- critical to advance and understand disease processes
• Administrators - to reduce the dependence on one EHR vendor
• Software developers- to develop interface and software
• Patients- important to access personal health information

Widespread access to EHR information is important if the full potential of the electronic health care system is to be realized.

The purpose of EHR is to provide access of patient information to the right people at the right time. Interoperability is the ability to exchange this information between different EHR systems and stakeholders. There are standards considered by the Health IT. These standards are divided into 3 different categories: content, terminology and transport.

Content Standards

• The content standards consist of XML, HL7, CDA and DICOM.

Terminology Standards

• The terminology standards consist of LOINC, RxNorm, SNOMED and MEDCIN.

Transport Standards

• The transport standards consist of ELINCS, IEEE 11073, NCPDP and ASC X12.