NCHIIN’s Interface Team Takes on FHIR

To stay ahead in healthcare interoperability, NCHIIN’s interface team is diving into Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR). Pronounced “fire,” FHIR is a modern standard for exchanging healthcare data securely and efficiently across different systems. It enables healthcare organizations to share critical clinical and administrative data while maintaining strict security and privacy controls.

FHIR’s advanced capabilities include modern authentication and encryption standards, as well as mechanisms for labeling sensitive information to ensure that only authorized individuals have access. This makes FHIR a powerful tool for enhancing patient data exchange while safeguarding privacy.

Interested in learning more about FHIR? Visit the ASTP’s Fact Sheet series: FHIR Fact Sheets.

CDII Updated DxF Participant Directory

User Guide - Jan. 2025

California Center for Data Insights and Innovation (CDII) created a resource to assist DxF Participants with using the Participant Directory for exchange of Health and Social Services Information (HSSI) with other Participants, which outlines the following information:

➔ Selected Participant Exchange Scenarios

➔ Visual of how Intermediaries and

organizations use the Participant Directory to exchange records

DxF Participant Directory

User Guide

NCHIIN's Team recently met with Dr. David Kendrick to learn about the Patient Centered Data Home (PCDH), a national initiative connecting regional and statewide HIEs to support seamless patient data exchange. As a part of Civitas Networks for Health, PCDH enables participating HIEs to share patient records without maintaining a central repository. Instead, PCDH uses a zip code-based system to route clinical data where it’s needed, ensuring that healthcare providers have access to complete patient records across different regions.

PCDH’s model leverages event-based alerts—such as ADTs (admission, discharge, transfer) and CCDs (continuity of care documents)—to notify a patient’s home HIE when care is received outside their region. This allows for real-time clinical data sharing and ensures that comprehensive, longitudinal patient records remain accessible within their primary health network to guide the provision of live-saving healthcare services.

Patient Centered Data Home – National Network Map

Reference: https://www.civitasforhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Civitas-PCDH-Datasheet-2022-08-21.pdf

Advancing DxF Interface Builds in 2025

As we move into the new year, NCHIIN is actively working with various EHR vendors—including Elation Health, Athena, and Greenway Health—to develop interfaces that support compliance with the California Data Exchange Framework (DxF). The initial focus is on establishing secure connectivity with DxF grant-funded partners - Ikigai Physicians, Fortuna Family Medicine, Inc. and Redwood Pediatrics - to facilitate reliable and secure data sharing.

Following the establishment of secure connections, NCHIIN and our EHR partners will initiate test file exchanges to validate data integration within the participating EHR systems. We deeply appreciate the collaboration and patience of our participants as we work to implement, test, and refine these interfaces in the early stages of the DxF grant project.

Learn more about NCHIIN's DxF Compliance Support

NCHIIN Participant Survey Underway

NCHIIN is conducting an HIE Participant Survey to gather insights to help shape our priorities and initiatives for 2025 and beyond. Your feedback is essential in guiding NCHIIN’s future strategies, so we encourage all participants—including leadership, IT professionals, medical providers, and frontline staff—to take part.

The survey is open until February 15, 2025, and we encourage you to share it with colleagues to gather a broad range of perspectives. This input will help NCHIIN tailor services to better meet the needs of local stakeholders.

We value your input. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a gift card to a local business!

Expanding Our Reach: NCHIIN Requests Funding to Support Interface Development

NCHIIN is actively applying for various local, state, and national grants to expand its services and enhance health information exchange capabilities. These efforts aim to ensure continued support for interface development and broaden the impact of NCHIIN’s initiatives. A huge 'Thank You' to everyone who submitted letters of support for these applications.

If your organization is interested in collaborating on future HIE-related projects, we encourage you to contact NCHIIN to explore funding opportunities.

Health Information Exchange (HIE)

In the News

• Federal Agencies Leading the Charge: Coordinating Efforts with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HealthIT Buzz | January 16, 2025

• HHS Releases Strategic Plan for the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Enhance and Protect the Health and Well-Being of Americans, US-DHHS | January 10, 2025

• Understanding the Governor’s 2025-26 State Budget Proposal, CA Budget & Policy Center | January 2025
• ASTP appoints 3 new health IT leaders: CTO, CDO and CAIO, Healthcare IT News | January 16, 2025

North Coast Health Improvement and Information Network (NCHIIN)

Contact Us:

DxF Project Manager

Email: tschaible@nchiin.org

Phone: (707) 443-4563 ext. 111      

Website: www.nchiin.org

Stay connected with us for more updates!