Data Storyteller

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.

This video provides an introduction to FHIR for health centers preparing for UDS+.

During the 4^th quarter (October to December) of 2022, there are two major health information technology (HIT) requirement changes, with potential for significant implications to health centers. Read this FAQ to find out how your health center can respond.

Health centers now report on social determinant of health screening activities and many use the PRAPARE tool for this purpose; for years, however, health centers have focused on the broader health and social needs of the individuals they serve often making referrals to community based organizations and utilizing available enabling services. Today, there is growing interest and awareness on the value and use of interoperable social determinants of health (SDoH) data to support individual, community, and population level health improvement. View this HITEQ Center webinar, where the The Health and Human Services, Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT present on the current state of federal activities and standards based approaches for collecting, sharing, and using SDoH data with a focus on technical and policy considerations. The presentation describes available standards, tools, and initiatives for health center use and input.

According to HIMSS, this Interoperability Initiatives Environmental Scan was created to provide an image of the current landscape in which interoperable, nationwide health information exchange occurs.