In today’s digital age, technology has revolutionized the healthcare industry, and it has enabled healthcare providers to deliver better and more personalized care to patients. One of the main challenges that today exist in healthcare is data exchange between disparate systems, its interoperability, and unification for health apps and electronic health records (EHRs).
This is where we’ve introduced to the so-called FHIR: Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources. It is a data standard that is gaining traction in many countries, including Germany, as a way to facilitate this exchange of health information.
In this blog post, we will provide an overview of FHIR, its benefits, and how it is used in Germany’s Healthtech Standards.
What is FHIR?
FHIR is an interoperability standard developed by Health Level Seven International (HL7) to exchange health data in a structured and standardized way.
The standard defines how healthcare information (sensitive data) can be exchanged between different computer systems regardless of how it is stored in those oftentimes vastly different systems. It allows healthcare information, including clinical and administrative data, to be available securely to those who need to access it, and to those who have the right to do so for the benefit of a patient receiving care.
FHIR uses web technologies such as RESTful APIs and JSON for secure and efficient health data exchange.
In comparison with previous versions of the standard, FHIR is more flexible and easier to implement. It is well-adapted to different healthcare scenarios and is more widely used.
More on its benefits in the next chapter.
Benefits of FHIR
FHIR offers various benefits over other healthcare data exchange standards, including faster and more efficient data transfer, web-centric architecture, and compatibility with a wide range of tools and protocols. Also, there is a set of benefits FHIR has to provide by default:
Interoperability
As you already know, FHIR enables interoperability between different healthcare systems, which allows healthcare providers to exchange health data securely and efficiently. Interoperability, in turn, helps to reduce the number of errors and improves patient safety.
Flexibility
FHIR is a flexible standard (in comparison with previous ones and analogs) that can adapt to different healthcare scenarios and use cases.
Scalability
FHIR can scale to meet the needs of large healthcare systems that store and transfer huge amounts of data. This scalability enables exchanging health data between different healthcare providers and organizations.
Security
FHIR includes security features that ensure health data is exchanged securely and confidentially. This security helps to protect patient privacy and prevent data breaches.
Innovation
FHIR is a modern standard that uses modern web technologies such as RESTful APIs and JSON. These technologies enable innovation and make it possible to develop new healthcare applications and services.
The reasons for the popularity of FHIR are:
- Quick and effortless data exchange between different systems
- Data exchange using web-based tech
- Specifications that are freely available for use
- Compatibility with popular tools and protocols
- Endorsements from prominent vendors in the industry
- Availability of numerous open-source libraries and free online tools
- A thriving global community that is leading the standardization efforts
- Suitable for various use cases
- Resource summaries that are easy to read and comprehend
At Elinext, we build healthcare software that helps our customers use FHIR effectively and efficiently. Check out our healthcare software portfolio and make your assumption about whether we are a right fit for your future software development partner.
FHIR in Germany’s Healthtech Standards
Let’s explore the situation in the German market, and see how FHIR is useful there.
FHIR in Germany originated from Germany’s Healthtech Standards, an initiative that aims to develop interoperable and standardized digital solutions for healthcare.
The DSTU is a collaboration between the German Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Office for Information Security, and other government entities in the healthcare industry.
FHIR is a key component of the DSTU initiative. The initiative has developed a set of FHIR profiles that define how health data should be exchanged between different healthcare systems in Germany. These profiles cover different healthcare scenarios such as medication, laboratory tests, and radiology.
The FHIR profiles developed by the DSTU initiative are based on the German version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the German version of the Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED). These standards ensure that health data is exchanged in a standardized and consistent way.
The DSTU initiative has also developed a set of guidelines for implementing FHIR in healthcare systems. These guidelines cover different aspects of FHIR implementation, such as security, privacy, and data governance.
As we can see, the German government is supportive of everything that involves personal data safety and is willing to support initiatives like DTSU.
Use Cases of FHIR in Germany’s Healthtech Standards
FHIR is used for different healthcare purposes in Germany’s Healthtech Standards, including:
Medication
FHIR is used to exchange medication data between different healthcare systems of clinics and pharmacies. This includes information such as medication name, dosage, and administration instructions. The FHIR profiles developed by the DSTU initiative ensure that medication data is exchanged in a standardized and safe way.
Lab Tests
The standard is used to exchange laboratory test data between digital healthcare systems. The information includes the following data: test name, results, and reference ranges.
Radiology
Images, reports, and diagnostic codes are transferred with the help of FHIR.
Clinical Documents
Data transferred: patient history, clinical notes, and discharge summaries.
Patient Identification
Data transferred: patient name, date of birth, and address
Telemedicine
FHIR is used to support telemedicine applications in Germany. Telemedicine enables healthcare providers to deliver care remotely, which can improve access to care, especially for patients in rural or remote areas.
More on the Importance and Application of FHIR
Successful technology advancements depend greatly on timing. FHIR emerged precisely when there was a growing recognition of the challenges arising from the lack of interoperability and the inadequacy of existing standards in resolving them. The standard combines the best of healthcare IT and internet standards, creating a comprehensive interoperability solution for the healthcare industry applied across the globe. FHIR is expected to play a significant role in the future, particularly in the realm of patient-generated health data (PGHD). The proliferation of wearable health devices and trackers generates a vast amount of health-related information, but most of it does not integrate into clinical workflows.
FHIR is already incorporated into Apple’s iOS, and by bridging the gap between healthcare and other internet-based experiences, it could be the missing piece that transforms millions of devices into clinically valuable resources.
Applications created on an FHIR platform could evaluate PGHD data to enhance chronic disease management and overall health.
FHIR is not only useful but has also become obligatory in countries like Germany.
Governments are promoting interoperability to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce its costs. In Germany, the ISiK (Informationstechnische Systeme in Krankenhäusern) federal law means hospitals must have compliant FHIR interfaces in place by June 2023.
That’s why it is important to find a reliable software development partner who has experience in delivering compliant software. Elinext has a rich portfolio of completed healthcare projects for clients in Germany in particular, and worldwide. Contact us to get a free consultation.
Summary
In conclusion, the implementation of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) in Germany has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry. The sharing and access to patient health information across different healthcare systems is the end goal, and FHIR is the most relevant standard out there.
Germany’s commitment to adopting FHIR standards is a significant step towards achieving interoperability in global healthcare, which is essential to improving healthcare quality and reducing costs. The adoption of FHIR in Germany is also in line with the EU’s willingness to establish a common framework for exchanging health data.
However, the successful implementation of FHIR in Germany will require the collaboration and coordination of healthcare providers, tech vendors, and governmental regulators. Data privacy and security concerns must be adequately addressed to ensure patient data protection and trust. Overall, FHIR has the potential to transform healthcare delivery and outcomes in Germany and beyond, and its adoption should be seen as a critical investment in the future of healthcare.
