Data Storyteller

In this session participants learned what standards-based exchange is, why it is important, what it makes possible, and what they need to do. Dr. David Kendrick led the session to provide insight into how MyHealth Access Network provides advanced health information exchange, community-wide care coordination tools, and a robust decision support platform designed to support providers and patients in improving health outcomes.

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.

In early 2018, KLAS researchers issued a report stating that the CommonWell-Carequality connection is the key to interoperability value^1,2. It is believed that when vendors fully embrace CommonWell and Carequality “instant value” will be created for users. This is an appealing promise to all healthcare providers, including health centers. So what should health centers know about this effort, and how should they prepare to capture the benefits?