In healthcare, seamless communication between systems is critical for improving patient outcomes. Interoperability ensures that health information can move freely, securely, and accurately between organizations, departments, and providers.
Without it, providers face roadblocks like manual data entry, redundant testing, and delays that affect patient safety and efficiency. For behavioral health clinics, the lack of interoperability can slow crisis response and coordination. For public health departments, it can hinder data-driven community interventions. Interoperability is the foundation of whole-person care; it’s how providers see the full picture, not just a snapshot.
The National Academy of Medicine defines interoperability as the ability for “information from multiple sources, devices, and organizations across the care continuum to flow at the right time, to the right party, for the right patient.”
This means a clinician can instantly access a patient’s complete history, a behavioral health provider can review hospital records, and a public health nurse can securely share screening data across systems. When this happens, care becomes more coordinated, efficient, and equitable.
For systems to exchange data effectively, they must use standardized communication formats. Two key standards are:
HIEs play a vital role in connecting providers and agencies. Behavioral health organizations can share crisis plans and care updates with housing services or public health departments, ensuring everyone has the most current information.
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) promotes standardized APIs that let patients access their health data via mobile devices.
It enforces “information blocking” rules from the 21st Century Cures Act and updates certification criteria to make interoperability easier and more affordable.
CMS supports the MyHealthEData initiative, requiring Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, CHIP, and Qualified Health Plans to provide electronic access to patient data. These policies encourage open data sharing and reduce administrative burden, allowing clinicians to focus on patient care. CMS and ONC rules are paving the way for healthcare systems that truly play well with others.
Interoperability promotes efficiency and quality of care by:
For behavioral and public health organizations, interoperability enables collaboration with external services such as WIC, housing, and EMS, creating a holistic view of each patient’s needs.
When selecting an EHR, look for systems that:
A truly interoperable EHR streamlines workflows, enhances collaboration, and improves care coordination.
The Future of Connected Care
Interoperability is transforming healthcare into a connected ecosystem. With interoperable EHRs, clinicians can deliver proactive, whole-person care while improving operational efficiency.
Patagonia Health’s EHR solution supports interoperability across behavioral and public health settings — helping organizations share data securely, meet CMS and ONC standards, and enhance patient outcomes.