This benefits the patient because the exchange of
information creates a holistic view for each provider involved. They can
understand how their piece of the puzzle fits into the whole picture, helping
them understand how to treat the patient as a person, not a collection of
parts.
The U.S. government has mandated interoperability by
creating a set of standards called Meaningful Use
(MU), which can be shared between providers in electronic health records (EHR).
The goal of interoperability is to improve patient care by streamlining
workflow, reducing risks in documentation errors, increasing the communication
of treatment, and generating accurate medical histories. Interoperability puts
the patient, the person, back in the spotlight.
What does this mean for healthcare organizations, providers
and administrators?
What does this mean for you?
- Reduction in documentation errors can help providers avoid costly fines from regulatory violations.
- Streamlining workflow can free up providers’ time, allowing them to see more patients.
- Increasing communication among providers can help draw in new patients who are encouraged by the benefits of interoperability.
- Accurate medical histories allow providers to give higher-quality care to their patients for their entire lives.
