Many health centers struggle to reap the benefits of technological advancement and investments in health information technology (health IT), while others embrace them and reap rewards. Interoperability is one such example; requiring health centers assess systems, relationships, and implementation.

There are keys to successful interoperability implementation for which health centers must develop processes, stand up infrastructure (within the system, internally and externally, and organization), and then take action.

Process refers to structured processes, policies, and procedures within the health center.

Infrastructure refers to structural capacity and ability within the health center’s technology and staffing structure.

Action refers to full implementation to the point of active and ongoing use and engagement.

This scorecard encourages health centers to consider their processes, infrastructure, and action in a number of key areas. Each area key to interoperability are to be self-graded on a scale of 1 through 5, where 1 is poorly or not yet developed and 5 is well developed. Health centers can also use this to guide discussions and monitor progress over time.

Instructions:

1. Review the score card as a whole. Address questions, such as those about terminology or that need internal background knowledge.
2. Bring together a multi-disciplinary team, perhaps an existing data governance or improvement team, to discuss and complete the score card. You can do this on a computer by using the fillable PDF below, or on paper by using the printable PDF below. 
3. Take the score card results, and use them to inform next steps. Re-evaluate once steps have been completed.

Download the resource in the Documents to Download Section below.