Module 2
Moving and Connecting Data
Why health data does not flow and how the field makes it: the interoperability problem, the FHIR standard and exchange networks, and the federal rules that increasingly compel sharing.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Explain why usable interoperability is harder than simply transmitting data
- Describe how FHIR and exchange networks move data between organizations
- Summarize what federal rules now require of the organizations that hold health data
- The Interoperability Problem Health data does not flow, and value-based care runs on data flowing. This lesson defines interoperability and why it is so hard. About 4 min
- Standards and Exchange Data flows through shared standards and exchange networks. This lesson covers FHIR, health information exchanges, and the nationwide TEFCA framework. About 5 min
- The Federal Rules Federal rules increasingly compel data to flow. This lesson covers information blocking, the FHIR API mandates, and the prior authorization rule. About 5 min
Module quiz
Answer all questions to see your score.
1. Which level of interoperability is where most efforts fall short?
Records that arrive but cannot be integrated or acted on are closer to noise than information; usable interoperability is the hard part.
2. What does the FHIR standard let systems do that document exchange did not?
FHIR exposes data as discrete, queryable resources, a fundamental improvement over document exchange, and is now required of certified EHRs.
3. What does the federal information blocking rule prohibit?
Information blocking rules make withholding data that should flow a rule violation, shifting data sharing from optional to the default.