Key Takeaways
- Interoperability connects care teams, improves data sharing, and enables whole-person care.
- Behavioral and public health organizations benefit from integrated Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems that eliminate data silos.
- CMS and ONC interoperability rules are shaping industry-wide data standards.
- Improved interoperability supports patient safety, reduces clinician burnout, and lowers costs.
- Cloud-based, interoperable EHR systems enable Public Health 3.0 and Behavioral Health Integration.
Why Interoperability Matters for Whole-Person Care
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.
Understanding EHR Interoperability
What Does EHR Interoperability Mean?
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.
Data Standards That Power Interoperability
For systems to exchange data effectively, they must use standardized communication formats. Two key standards are:
- HL7 (Health Level Seven): Enables structured exchange of clinical data.
- FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources): Allows modern, API-based exchange between systems.
Health Information Exchanges (HIEs)
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.
Federal Rules Driving Interoperability Forward
ONC’s Proposed Rule
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’s Proposed Rule
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.
The Benefits of Interoperability
Interoperability promotes efficiency and quality of care by:
- Reducing adverse events through safety alerts.
- Eliminating redundant testing and procedures.
- Saving clinician time by reducing manual data entry.
- Shortening hospital stays through faster data access.
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.
Choosing an EHR that Supports Interoperability
When selecting an EHR, look for systems that:
- Include built-in referral management, reminders, and real-time data exchange.
- Support HL7, FHIR, Carequality, and HIE frameworks.
- Offer cloud-based accessibility for easier collaboration.
A truly interoperable EHR streamlines workflows, enhances collaboration, and improves care coordination.
FAQs About Interoperability
- What’s the difference between integration and interoperability?
Integration connects systems; interoperability ensures the shared data is usable, standardized, and secure. - How does it help behavioral health?
It enables shared access between therapists, case managers, and physicians for better-coordinated care. - Are EHRs required to be interoperable?
Yes. Federal ONC and CMS programs mandate interoperability standards through certification and compliance measures. - What are HIEs?
Health Information Exchanges connect providers to share data safely and efficiently. - How does interoperability reduce provider burnout?
Automating data exchange frees providers from manual work and lets them focus on patient care.
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.
