How Interoperability Can Transform Healthcare

At Signature Performance, we are on a mission to lower healthcare administrative costs and burdens, making the healthcare industry more effective and efficient. One way we strive to make an impact in the industry is by staying up to date with the latest industry trends and innovations to ensure we are delivering our clients the best possible products and solutions.

A team of our Signature Performance Associates recently attended the ViVE Healthcare Technology conference in Los Angeles and the HIMSS conference in Orlando to learn more about what's trending in the healthcare IT space. With over 40,000 healthcare decision makers and innovators in combined attendance, ViVE and HIMSS were buzzing with creative, out-of-the-box ideas regarding the future of healthcare technology. Among the most discussed topics was the concept of Interoperability in healthcare and how it can impact the future of modern medicine.

Interoperability refers to the ability of different healthcare information systems and software applications to communicate, exchange data, and operate seamlessly. By breaking down the barriers that have traditionally limited the flow of information within the healthcare industry, interoperability can help reduce administrative burdens and costs by streamlining efficiencies and processes. In a continuously evolving landscape such as healthcare, the concept of interoperability has emerged as a crucial element for enhancing overall health outcomes, streamlining operations, and promoting innovation.

Improving Communication, Technological Innovation and Patient Outcomes

Interoperability harnesses the potential to revolutionize the way healthcare is administered by facilitating the seamless exchange of patient information across various settings, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers. For example, by improving the communication between different electronic health records (EHR), these systems can talk to each other in real-time and reduce or eliminate misdiagnosis, streamline patient treatment plans, and improve the rate and ease in which medical claims are processed and paid. A long-standing challenge in healthcare has been the lack of cross-functionality between these heavily relied upon systems. It is with hope that interoperability can reduce these inefficiencies and improve the health of the healthcare system as a whole.

Interoperability also plays a pivotal role in driving healthcare innovation and fostering the development of advanced technologies such as telemedicine or artificial intelligence. (Read more about telehealth here) By facilitating the integration of these technologies with existing healthcare systems, interoperability enables healthcare providers to deliver more efficient and personalized care, regardless of geographical barriers or economical boundaries. One way our team at Signature Performance is striving to improve interoperability is through our innovations department and their focus on improving the communication between EHRs and the medical documentation process.

"Interoperability in healthcare is a key factor for improving data exchange, technological innovation, and patient outcomes. However, it requires a culture of collaboration and trust among various stakeholders, as well as technical solutions that address data quality, integration, security, and compliance. As our healthcare industry works towards increased interoperability, we at Signature Performance are helping hospitals optimize their current EMR systems to maximize value and increase hospital success and sustainability. 

-        Chris Vairo, Chief of Staff, Signature Performance Inc.

Another improvement brought forth by the interoperability initiative is the patient experience. With streamlined processes and communications, patients can benefit by having easier access and an improved understanding of their health information. For example, if a patient can easily interpret their health information from their primary care provider, they will be more likely to follow additional treatment plans and instructions from specialists or other referred providers. This empowers them to be more engaged in their healthcare experience, understand treatment plans, and participate in shared decision-making. It is our hope that with an increase in access to healthcare information and a streamlined administrative experience, providers and patients can expect improved healthcare outcomes.

The Future of Interoperability in Healthcare

Although interoperability has immense potential, achieving full interoperability in healthcare remains an on-going challenge. As a company who prioritizes innovation and forward thinking, we believe that interoperability holds the promise of transforming healthcare by enabling seamless data exchange, driving technological advancements, and improving patient outcomes. While challenges remain, the momentum towards achieving interoperability in healthcare continues to grow, driven by a shared commitment from administrators, providers, and healthcare systems alike. By embracing interoperability as the standard in modern healthcare, we can unlock new possibilities for collaboration, innovation, excellence in patient care and ideally reduce the cost of healthcare in the United States.