Health Affairs · 2005 · 214 citations · 1 references
ComputingHealth InformaticsHealth SystemsHealth Information ExchangeHealth Information SystemsHealthcare Information SystemsClinical Data StandardsData ExchangeData InteroperabilityHealth Information Exchange StandardsHealthcare Data StandardsElectronic Health Record StandardsElectronic Medical RecordsHealth Information Exchange InteroperabilityHealth Information System AdoptionHealth Information System InteroperabilityHealth Record InteroperabilityInteroperability StandardsInteroperable Health Information Exchange
Interoperability is essential for a nationwide point‑of‑care health information system, enabling clinicians to access longitudinal records and realize the societal benefits of electronic medical records. The study asks whether electronic medical record adoption can advance efficiently without established interoperability standards.
The United States is building a point-of-care health information system to rival the worldwide network of electronic banking. Through health care information exchange and interoperability, clinicians will have access to a longitudinal medical record. This interoperability is a fundamental requirement for the health care system to derive the societal benefits promised by the adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs). The paper by Jan Walker and colleagues highlights some of these benefits. One critical question is whether the adoption of EMRs needs to wait for interoperability standards or whether it can proceed efficiently without them.
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The Value Of Health Care Information Exchange And Interoperability
Jan Walker, Eric Pan, Douglas Johnston et al. · Health Affairs · 2005 · 828 citations