What is healthcare interoperability?
Healthcare interoperability is the ability of different health IT systems to exchange data and use it in a shared, meaningful way. In practice it combines data standards such as HL7 v2 and FHIR, secure APIs and network participation, governance and consent rules, and workflow design so the data arrives where a clinician, member service representative, or research coordinator can act on it.
- Standards layer: HL7 v2 messaging, FHIR resources and profiles such as US Core, and document exchange.
- Transport layer: APIs, interface engines, and network participation such as TEFCA and QHIN connectivity.
- Governance layer: identity, consent, exchange purpose, data stewardship, and audit.
- Workflow layer: getting the right data into the screen and moment where a decision is made.
