Interoperability
Interoperability is the capability of diverse components, systems or organizations to work together. Interoperability can be divided into two; functional interoperability and semantic interoperability. Functional interoperability is the ability of different components, systems and organizations to exchange information whereas semantic interoperability is the ability of different components, systems and organizations to use the exchanged information. Interoperability in health care information systems operates by storing data in longitudinal medical records that can be accessed by the patient and other health care providers attending to a patient. A personal health record of each patient is cumulated over time and can be accessed at any time .
Nowadays people receive their health care from numerous caregivers and health providers be it hospitals, solo physicians, pharmacies, nurses, clinics or public health sites. Interpolation would facilitate integration of consumer’s healthcare experience. Interpolation minimizes fragmentation; it therefore avoids duplication, errors and lack of coordination. Interpolation would improve economic efficiency due to reduced duplication and errors, improve service delivery by nurses and other health providers and reduce time spent by patients in health facilities due to quicker diagnosis and reduced duplication .
Interoperability enables healthcare providers, through healthcare information exchange, to have longitudinal medical records with each patient’s full information. Patients can therefore have a better access to information concerning their health status because personal health records are easily available in an interoperable world. Interoperability will improve diagnosis and treatment of patients by nurses since patients can easily explain their conditions. Interpolation has made it possible to stream live video interaction between caregivers and patients. Nurses can monitor live-feed data from patients’ homes to follow up their progress. Therefore, interpolation has also made it easier for nurses to follow up their patients.
References
Benson, D. S. (2007). Electronic medical records. Journal of ambulatory care management, 15(3-4), 22-29.
Scott, T., Rundall, T. G., Vogt, T. M., & Hsu, J. (2007). Implementing an electronic medical record system: successes, failures, lessons. Chicago: Radcliffe Publishing.
Skolnik, N. S. (2010). Electronic Medical Records: A Practical Guide for Primary Care (illustrated ed.). New York: Springer.
