Attendee Blogs

Breaking Down Barriers: Addressing Interoperability to Maximize Health IT

December 19, 2024

Interoperability, the seamless exchange of health information across diverse systems, remains a significant challenge in healthcare. Our recent LinkedIn poll revealed that 57% of physicians identify interoperability as their primary obstacle in maximizing health IT. Why? Because this obstacle leads to fragmented patient data, inefficiencies, and potential risks to patient safety.

Understanding the Interoperability Challenge

The healthcare landscape is characterized by a multitude of electronic health record (EHR) systems, each with unique standards and protocols. This diversity often results in data silos, hindering effective communication among healthcare providers. A 2024 Forbes article highlights that this lack of interoperability can lead to delayed care, redundant testing, and medical errors, ultimately compromising patient outcomes.

Moreover, a recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that while 70% of primary care physicians were somewhat satisfied with access to external health information, only 23% found it very easy to use. Notably, a mere 8% reported that information from different EHR systems was very easy to use, underscoring the persistent barriers to seamless data exchange.

HIMSS25: Addressing Interoperability Head-On

The HIMSS25 Global Health Conference & Exhibition is dedicated to tackling interoperability challenges. Attendees can explore the Interop+Smart Experience, a specialty pavilion showcasing cutting-edge interoperability solutions.

Additionally, several sessions focus on interoperability:

Click here to explore more sessions.

These sessions provide valuable insights and practical approaches to overcoming interoperability barriers, empowering physicians to leverage health IT effectively.

Moving Forward

Addressing interoperability is crucial for advancing healthcare delivery. By participating in HIMSS25 and engaging with the resources and sessions offered, healthcare professionals can gain the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and surmount these challenges, ultimately enhancing patient care and operational efficiency.

Join us at HIMSS25 to be part of the solution in creating a more connected and efficient healthcare system.

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Early Bird registration ends 12/20/24. Register today for the best rate.

healthcare technology HIMSS interoperability physicians

Seema Verma

Executive Vice President and General Manager Oracle Health & Life Sciences

Before coming to Oracle, she served as a Senior Advisor to private equity firms TPG and Cressey & Co, serving on the Cressey Distinguished Executive Committee. She also served on the Board of Directors for Lumeris, Monogram, Wellsky, LYRIC, and ShiftKey. Additionally, she provided advisory services to a variety of early stage and large public health care companies, including national payers and technology companies focusing on strategy, value creation, and operations.

Seema was the former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the largest payer in the world, between 2017-2021. Confirmed by the Senate on a bi-partisan basis, she had one of the longest terms in modern CMS history. In this role, she oversaw a $1.4 trillion dollar budget and coverage for 145 million beneficiaries. She was responsible for federal policy and operations of Medicare, Medicaid, Health Insurance Exchanges, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), and all federal quality and safety regulations. In this role she developed and implemented the federal administration’s health care strategic plan across all programs to advance value-based care, innovation, interoperability, and price transparency while reducing drug prices, and regulations through her historic Patients over Paperwork initiative. CMS had numerous accomplishments during her tenure including delivering reduced premiums across Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, and individual insurance market as well as addressing the social determinants of health. Her pro-market policies advanced market competition, provided $35 insulin to seniors and advanced site neutral payments. Her leadership on the White House COVID Task Force led to the widespread adoption of telehealth, Hospital at Home, and no cost vaccines for the entire country.

Prior to her role at CMS, she founded and sold a national consulting company and worked as a VP for Policy and Planning for a public hospital, public health department, and health system.

Attendee Blogs

Breaking Down Barriers: Addressing Interoperability to Maximize Health IT

Understanding the Interoperability Challenge

HIMSS25: Addressing Interoperability Head-On

Moving Forward

Want to receive exclusive discounts? Sign up for our monthly newsletter, HIMSS25 Headlines.

Early Bird registration ends 12/20/24. Register today for the best rate.

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