It’s all too often that we see healthcare data sit in isolated systems. Different departments or providers can’t easily share information which can cause delays in treatment and even result in medical errors. In this blog, we’ll explore how seamless integration between EHRs and other healthcare IT systems can help streamline workflows, reduce errors, improve patient safety and experience, protect patient privacy, and ensure HIPAA compliance.
Improving Operational Efficiency and Reducing Errors
The main priority of any provider is caring for their patient. However, the reality is, a provider’s responsibility also includes noting the readings from several medical devices such as vital sign monitors and Smart Pumps, then manually enter those readings in the EHR. The problem is this often takes the provider away from the patient’s bedside and results in countless unproductive hours entering medical device readings. Seamless integration between EHRs and other healthcare IT systems can solve this problem by allowing data to flow smoothly between systems without the need for manual re-entry, saving valuable time for clinicians. This enhanced efficiency can significantly boost productivity by freeing up more time for direct patient care while also reducing the number of manual keystrokes that could result in data entry errors.
Real-World Example:
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) noticed their manual processes for vital sign documentation and IV pump programming were taking nurses away from the bedside and creating an increased risk for error. By integrating their vital sign monitors and IV Smart Pumps with their EHR, the nurses at SVMC could now simply scan the Smart Pump twice and be confident the correct medication was being administered to the patient. This also allowed for readings from integrated medical devices to automatically flow into their EHR so providers could assess patients and prescribe appropriate treatments without delay. An added bonus, was with start/stop times being automatically captured by the Smart Pump integration, SVMC was able to improve their billing cycle and recoup missed billing on claims where that information was frequently missed with manual data entry.
Protecting Patient Privacy and Ensuring HIPAA Compliance
Reliable integrations are also essential for maintaining HIPAA compliance, as they ensure sensitive patient data remains secure as it moves between systems. However, as more systems are integrated, there are greater opportunities for sensitive information to fall into the wrong hands. Healthcare organizations must incorporate strong security measures and establish clear policies, including encryption to scramble the data so it can’t be read by unauthorized people, access controls to limit who can see certain information, and audit trails to track who has accessed sensitive data and when.
While there is a lot of complexity that comes out of integrating solutions from a patient privacy monitoring and data security standpoint, there are also some significant benefits.
Real-World Example:
WVU Medicine used to have to review multiple audit logs and run separate reports to get a clear view of how PHI was being accessed across their 23 hospitals. By integrating their patient privacy monitoring, WVU Medicine was able to consolidate audit trails, now only having to run a single audit to get a holistic view of PHI access across their entire organization. Additionally, connecting these data feeds has opened the door for artificial intelligence to be used to analyze every instance of PHI access, and provide a more complete view of potentially suspicious activities.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Healthcare Integration Vendor
Trust is the foundation of a successful integration, and selecting the right vendor is just as crucial as choosing the right technology. When evaluating potential integration vendor partners, healthcare organizations should prioritize those with extensive experience and a proven track record of successful integrations in the healthcare space. The vendor should have a strong understanding of HL7 standards, FHIR protocols, and other healthcare-specific data exchange frameworks. A solid record in data security and compliance is another key factor to consider. Look for certifications that prove they meet industry standards.
By selecting the right integration partner, healthcare providers can unlock the full potential of their IT investments and deliver better, safer patient care.
Final Thoughts:
With over 30 years of experience delivering healthcare IT services and solutions, iatricSystems exemplifies what healthcare organizations should look for in a trusted integration vendor. iatricSystems is 1 of 12 vendors who achieved the Censinet® Cybersecurity Transparency award, which recognizes vendors with an ongoing commitment to improving cyber preparedness and maturity. Being trusted by more than 1,300 hospitals and integrating with over 800 vendors, iatricSystems has a proven history of helping healthcare organizations integrate complex IT environments while ensuring regulatory compliance and patient data security.