 What is IT Interoperability? "The definition of interoperability requires two systems to be able to exchange data with no loss of precision or other attributes, in an unambiguous manner, in a format understood by both systems, and in such a way that interpretation of the data is functionally equivalent. External synthesizing functions will be computationally too complex, so architectural standards are required for data and the software that manipulates the data." *
The goal is the exchange of computable data between computer systems which may be owned by different organizations as they collaborate to fulfill a business workflow.
We are speaking here both of exchanges between different parts of the same enterprise (between departments or companies in a corporate group) as well as between different enterprises. In addition interoperability becomes particularly important for entities which have merged or who have made a new acquisition. Likewise interoperability becomes a factor when an organization seeks to integrate a purchased product into an existing suites of products. Data architecture is a subset of enterprise architecture wherein the data requirements are articulated. Principle among these needs is interoperability. Data architecture is the purposeful design of data needed to operate and manage the entity. The process whereby the details of these data exchanges are worked out is called interoperability planning. . Often the best starting point is a data model. Data models define the data structures. Although some policy makers belittle data standards, they may be referring to the difficulty of imposing standards not on the exchange of data but on the storage of data. * From "Modeling Command & Control Interoperability" by John A. Hamilton, Jr., Ph.D., SCS Press, Society for Modeling & Simulation International, San Diego, CA, 2004.
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NEW RELEASE of Free Health IT Course Materials from ONC
Components of Success: Healthcare IT course training Well Defined Common Terminologies Data Standards Definitions Enterprise-wide Architectural Planning Achieving Interoperability There are many types of roles which consume the products of Healthcare IT. CIO's need it to plan workflows for their organization. Nurses need it to ensure quality care for patients enabled by accurate and timely patient data. Doctors need it to order tests. Billing people need it to properly code diseases and create invoices.
Achieving interoperability is based on the use of common HIT standards. Data standards are a part of the choreography which enables the dance of interoperability. Agreed upon common reference data tables in the form of terminologies are crucial for communication between enterprises. The biggest part of interoperability is the behavioral standards of the software systems.
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