Interoperability Server HL7 Gateway
Interoperability Server HL7 Gateway enables interoperability among Hospital Information Systems either medical or administrative. It is a flexible software of CCS, allowing communication between two or more information systems of either the same or different manufacturers, in real time The operation is transparent to the user, who simply notices the existence of the data concerning him, in his own application.
About Interoperability
Interoperability means the ability of medical software to exchange information and transfer data to other devices or services. Medical Device Regulation defines interoperability as “the ability of two or more devices to work together as intended, communicating with each other, exchanging and using the information without changing the content of the data.
The most significant benefit of interoperability is improving both patients’ and practitioners experience. Patients don’t have to bring a lot of printouts of their examinations, as they are already in their Electronic Health Record. Doctors do not create the patient’s documentation from scratch, any more. They can simply be advised by patient’s electronic medical record, constituted by interoperability data.
Thanks to interoperability, date such as patient data, clinical tests, and administrative records can confidently maintain electronic medical records (EMRs).
Levels of
Interoperability
There are four levels that interoperability is devided to:
Level 1 : Foundational Interoperability
The systems don’t need to understand each other; they just need to be able to share and store information.
Level 2 : Structural Interoperability
Must be ensured that both devices use the same data system or are correctly converted so data be readable by all stakeholders.
Level 3 : Semantic Interoperability
Needs standardised vocabulary and definitions considering healthcare, (ICD10, LOINC, SNOMED etc) so everybody can understand concepts shared by the systems.
Level 4 : Organisational Interoperability
Is all about the policies and legal aspects that provide safe and secure data exchange between all the parties involved.
If you’re seeking more information look Health Level Seven International (HL7), HL7 FHIR website about the medical software interoperability standard.
Using Interoperability Server HL7 Gateway
The competence in integration profiles and standards, allows to provide suitable tools to healthcare stakeholders. In order to manage information flows between different applications the Interoperability server HL7 Gateway is absolutely necessary.
CCS has implement many types of interoperability by the use of HL7 / FHIR protocol. Additionally has implement many other connections by developing tailored software, depended on the capabilities of applications to be connected.
A main usage of Interoperability Server HL7 Gateway is the exchange of information between Laboratory Information System MediLab LIS and Hospital Information System (HIS) / Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
The ‘HL7 Gateway’ middleware undertakes the automatic transport of patients’ data and the ordered tests between HIS and LIS. After the release of tests in the laboratories, when EMR asks to, LIS sends the required data to E.M.R in order to display the patient’s test results.
In order to deliver truly patient-centered integrated care, we need integrated information management.
In short, connected health is better health.
Benefits of Interoperability Server HL7 Gateway
- Improved patients’ care
- Time-efficiency
- Reduced number of errors
- Comprehensive data management
- Less administrative issues
CCS and HL7/FHIR protocol
Regarding interoperability and the usage of HL7/FHIR messages, CCS is :
- Pioneer in HL7 usage in Greek Healthcare Informatics
- Founding member of HL7-Hellas, Greek affiliate of HL7 International.
HL7 Hellas is a non-profit organization established to actively promote HL7 standards both within the Greek territory and South-Eastern Europe. It aims to spread reliable standards for healthcare data exchange, management and integration of patients data. Additionally aims as well to the management, the evaluation and further development of the HL7 standard protocols. HL7-Hellas is an affiliate of HL7. CCS is founding member of HL7 Hellas.
HL7-Hellas encourages the creation of flexible standards, guidelines, methodologies, protocols and other related services. The standards will be based on those of the HL7 International Organisation. The main goal is to enable the interoperability of information systems in Health & Social Security.
In addition, it helps both in the preparation of studies and research. Such help is based on the exchange of patients medical records hospitalized in institutions that adopt these standards. Finally, HL7 Hellas aims to continuously research for further development related to the improvement of the standards.
