Article excerpts are from the latest May/June CHIA Journal. Read the full articles and more in the online version here.
Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources
by Chris Hobson, MD, MBA
Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) is a breakthrough tool that will significantly improve health information management professionals' ability to break down data silos and communication barriers with clinicians. Value-based care models demand better collaboration across the continuum of care, including data sharing from varied care locations, and in disparate formats. FHIR is a bridge that has the power to improve uptake by clinicians and in turn improve outcomes that are currently hindered by a lack of complete patient information at points of care delivery.
EHRs are just one piece of an increasingly complex patient data profile that includes many sources and formats. FHIR enhances the value of all these sources, bringing them together so clinicians can flag potential drug interactions, identify gaps in care, and deploy analytics to guide future decision making. FHIR improves access and visibility for the health information professional, for the clinician, and for the consumer. FHIR's focus on simplicity, extensibility, and interoperability promises to revolutionize the sharing of health care information - and improve the experience and outcomes across the health care continuum.
Is Your EHR "Social"?
by Melanie Meyer, MHA, RHIT, CCS, CPHQ
HIM professionals can play a significant role in working with social determinants of health (SDOH) as they understand not only the best way to capture data, but also to account for how that data will be used, whether at the individual level or for a population. It will be important to monitor industry trends for changes and other potential impacts to coding, workflows, quality measures, and billing as SDOH may be used to adjust payments in the future. In response to the need to improve quality outcomes and lower costs, capturing and using SDOH data will be required. Now is the time to make sure your EHR is "social" and consider how your systems might be used to support these efforts.
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