Data sharing in healthcare | healthcare interoperability

Data sharing in healthcare is everything in today’s modern healthcare. Data is being collected on a massive scale. It can be from health-focused smartphone apps to the electronic health records (EHRs) that doctors and hospitals manage.  

This information could provide priceless insights on individual and population-wide behavior and health trends, potentially changing how healthcare providers operate and deliver care.  

People in the United States who are willing to share more of their health information with providers could tip the scales in terms of data sharing in healthcare. Healthcare providers, along with standards-developing organizations, payers, and relevant government agencies.  

It could move the needle on interoperability in healthcare by facilitating data collection. EHR sharing for improved performance, care coordination, and patient outcomes with better access to more medical data. 

What is data sharing in healthcare? 

Data sharing in healthcare firms recognize that data sharing is essential to their success. They are increasingly adopting information computing technology to share data to provide better services.  

Patient treatment is hampered by the lack of cross-organizational data sharing. The fast and secure access, integration, and use of electronic health data to improve individuals. Community health outcomes are referred to as interoperability in healthcare. 

Importance of data sharing in healthcare: 

Providers, patients, and caregivers can collaborate to make fully informed care decisions with up-to-date patient data at their fingertips. Safety and quality have both improved. Interoperable patient data ensures that patients receive the right tests and treatments while avoiding those that are redundant or conflicting. 

Data sharing key points towards interoperability: –  

What patients are ready to share? 

It turns out that people are more open to exchanging data in healthcare than you may imagine. Furthermore, two-thirds of individuals want clinicians to share health information that isn’t already required by federal data-sharing regulations. 

In a national survey conducted in 2019, the Strategic Health Information Exchange Collaborative (SHIEC) discovered that 92 percent of the US population. This population is covered by a health information exchange (HIE). Which is a larger database that allows participating healthcare providers to share and access electronic health records (EHR). 

The United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI), a standardized set of health data used in HIEs. Now, mandates that the following data types be exchanged between EHRs: 

• Allergies and intolerances 
• Immunizations 
• Medications 
• Care team 
• Assessment/treatment plans 
• Clinical notes 
• Procedures
• Smoking status 
• Demographics 
• Vitals 
• Lab results 
• Provenance (date, provider) 
• Health problems, concerns, and goals 
• Implantable device Ids 

According to the survey, the vast majority of Americans either don’t mind or actively want healthcare professionals to disclose the USCDI-mandated data.  

Furthermore, the survey discovered that Americans would not mind or desire healthcare providers to communicate the following information among themselves. 

• Radiology images and reports – 87% 
• Advanced directives or care plans – 87% 
• Substance use history – 74% 
• Behavioral or mental health history – 72% 
• Social determinants of health – 68% 
• Insurance claims and billing – 67% 

Doctors might potentially reduce the amount of repetitive testing done by sharing more information. Such as radiological scans and reports, saving time and money for both patients and providers.  

Furthermore, disclosing information about a patient’s behavioral and mental health, substance use, and social determinants of health. They could provide doctors with a more holistic view of a patient’s health difficulties. 

HIPAA compliant to ensure data security: 

When it comes to personal information such as medical history and health data, privacy concerns are more prominent than when it comes to other sorts of user data. While many patients want their doctors to provide more information, privacy issues.  

A lack of patient access to their medical records was raised in the survey. HIPAA-compliant patient mobile apps or portals from healthcare providers. It allows patients to access their EHR must protect the security and privacy of such data. 

However, data security may be a bigger worry with health applications that allow individuals to download their EHR from several providers into one spot. Personal data downloaded to these applications are not covered by HIPAA or other federal privacy rules, which 62% of respondents found to be highly worrying. 

Consumer help in healthcare data sharing: 

In recent years, consumerism in healthcare has become a trend, which may influence data sharing. Healthcare consumerism is based on the idea of empowering individuals to participate actively in healthcare decision-making. It is helpful to better meet their medical and financial needs.  

Patients should be able to access and transport their health data as they travel through healthcare systems as part of that decision-making process. Patients who have access to their EHR can get the information they need about their medical history.  

It helps them to make better decisions with the help of their healthcare providers. According to a survey, 61% of patients want to be able to view and download their medical records from providers. It includes test results, diagnoses, treatment plans, radiology, scans, and vaccines. 

Working towards enhanced interoperability: 

The survey shows that consumers in the United States want their data shared with providers and patients. With that in mind, the next step is to create a plan to address the growing demand for health data. It ensures that it can be used to improve interoperability among healthcare providers. 

The goal is to develop data sharing standards and a framework to follow that will improve security and streamline data sharing between EHRs. EHR prevents information blocking, whether deliberate or not. 

With more patient data available, practitioners may be able to get valuable insights into population health management. Some methods Into improve care coordination and health outcomes as patients move through the healthcare system.  

The ability to discern population-wide health patterns, which can assist clinicians and governments in better addressing gaps in the system. In determining where financing could best serve communities is the usefulness of big data in healthcare. 

Benefits of Data sharing in healthcare: 

The Advantages of data sharing in healthcare are fully interoperable because health data has numerous advantages for the entire healthcare ecosystem, including: 

• Improved care coordination: 

Physicians, patients, and providers may collaborate to make fully informed care decisions with access to up-to-date patient data. 

• Increased patient safety and quality: 

Interoperable patient data ensures that patients receive the right tests and treatments while avoiding redundant or conflicting ones. This translates to a better, safer, and more efficient experience, all of which are important indicators of the current value-based care transition. 

• Empowered patients and families: 

Patients and families who have access to their medical records and options are better able to make educated clinical decisions. They become more active participants in their treatment. 

• Cost-cutting and increased efficiency: 

Patients and insurers save time and money by avoiding duplicative services. where clinical and administrative staff save time and resources by spending fewer hours on these duties. 

• Strong public health registries: 

The collection and exchange of aggregated patient health data will aid in more accurate sickness tracking and prevention, as well as other public health risks. 

Conclusion: 

Intely is consulting to help our clients understand and comply with healthcare regulations and policies. This ensures that our clients stay compliant and have the technology they need to perform better. 

Intely offers the best HL7 FHIR integration services for healthcare practices, government organizations. Clinics to deliver secure healthcare information exchange and improve the patient experience to adapt to the digital transition. They provide genuine interoperability to your organization.