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What is FHIR and its benefits and challenges?

November 30, 2019 - Swati Bansal, Webmedy Team

Updated Version - July 28, 2023


Are you interested in knowing about what FHIR is, how it works and what seems to be the benefits of implying the same?

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With the passing time and years, there has been consistent increase in the usage of EHRs - Electronic Health Records. Catering to so many demand and needs of them, FHIR is been introduced aiming to simplify the implementation process without bearing on the information integrity and authenticity. How FHIR helps with this? It leverages the existing theoretical and logical models and prototypes and provides a simple to execute mechanism to exchange data in between different healthcare applications. The objective is to create a base set of resources that could meet the diversified meet of common use case scenarios. And, FHIR is supposed to be used and implemented as a standalone data exchange standard or in link with the existing ones in a seamless manner. It is one of the fast and efficient alternatives to all document centric strategies as it depicts data elements as services. In fact, many high profile players in the healthcare and informatics field have been showing keen interest in implementing FHIR these days. It includes even the well reckoned pioneers, CommonWell Health Alliance and SMART - Sustainable Medical Applications, Reusable Technologies).

How FHIR - Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources Functions?

FHIR is designed specifically only and only for the internet and it works on the concept of 'resources', leading to any content that could be exchanged in any form, and used as building blocks to imbibe in the existing systems. By the term 'resources', it could be anything, be it a common set of metadata, a human readable part or a method of representation or a common definition. Also, resources need to be based on JSON, XML, Atom, HTTP or OAuth structure. The intent is to build a framework that can be used to adapt or extent resources, to be interpreted and illustrated by any system, irrespective of how it was devised. In fact, FHIR is known to be utilized and accessed in a wide array of applications involving cloud communications, mobile applications, EHRs, etc.

Positives and Advantages of FHIR

Substantially, the direct of FHIR is to normalize and ease out the exchange of healthcare data, enabling healthcare administrators, service providers and all to share patient information in an easy and trouble free way, even when they are known to be using different software systems. With FHIR, every resource is linked with a unique identifier. Quite similar to be like the URLs help to look out for specific web pages, no matter which web browser or device you have been using, FHIR makes it feasible and easy to get the access to right set of data from any device or an application. Simply by devising standard URLs for different packets of data, FHIR annihilates and cuts down the requirement to exchange individual documents or any information back and forth in between systems along with making sure that the different applications will point out to the right and same set of information at the same time. It will help developers and professionals in creating more intuitive and user friendly applications integrated with web browsers functionality ensuring quick and trustable access to the relevant data irrespective of which EHR or application is been used, leading to several positives. Few of them are been enlisted in below:

  • Easy and hassle-free integration and implementation
  • Enhances the healthcare delivery speed by making data easily accessible and in a readable format
  • Structures and standardizes the data for machine-based processing and other automated clinical support
  • Reduces the time-consuming document-based information exchange system and feeding in the information in direct into workflows
  • Offers inbuilt traceability mechanisms to HL7 RIM and other content based models supporting alignment with the existing practices and prototypes, even if they don't have any knowledge of RIM or any other deviation of HL7 v3

FHIR Challenges and the Solution

Like every offering or technology comes with its own pros and cons, so does FHIR. The adoption of FHIR has its own challenges. FHIR is supposed to be sharing and highlighting the similar challenges of HL7 integration, particularly if different versions of them are implemented in different systems than those two systems are not interoperable at all.

There are other inconsistencies or lacunas as well that occur when EHR vendors don't implement all the existing FHIR APIs and even in the case, they do, then also they don't implement the entire API. These discrepancies undermine the objective and purpose of attaining interoperability.

Wondering, what is the solution for this? There is a feasible solution to all. API solutions and functionality can make the process seamless and efficient, and one of them is 'Integrate' that is cost-effective and practical and make the process user-friendly in the advanced technological landscape. The Integrate functionality utilizes real-time REST APIs and a vast set of universal and unified data model in order to standardize EHR integration and implementation, offering read and write capabilities and functions with any EHR. It even supports the smooth and consistent exchange of the healthcare data and information in between EHR platforms, administrative and clinical based applications, rendering crucial real-time access to patient health record or data, without compromising or bearing in the security or authenticity of PHI. All thanks to the technology and Integrate function of the universal APIs along with a unified data model that actually made it possible to not even think about different applications being executed in different FHIR versions anymore. It also leads to the benefit of no more worrying about copying and faxing of patient records and distributing across different health systems and departments collaborating on patient health care. Also, there is no need to wait for the lengthy integration time of the projects now as you can instantly start working on the exchange of healthcare data as per the preference and requirement. And needless to say but FHIR assures and is highly efficient in putting down all the essential information into any workflow and that too in real-time situations to use for clinical decision support and further.

Helpful Information

What is Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)?

Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) is a standard for health care data exchange, developed by the Health Level Seven International (HL7). FHIR leverages existing logical and theoretical models to provide a consistent, easy to implement, and rigorous mechanism for exchanging data between healthcare applications.

Why is FHIR important in healthcare?

FHIR is crucial in healthcare as it improves interoperability between healthcare systems. It enables different healthcare information systems to communicate with each other, and exchange and interpret shared data, which can lead to improved patient care, streamlined processes, and reduced healthcare costs.

What are the components of FHIR?

FHIR is composed of several elements called resources. These are modular components that provide a common definition for discrete pieces of data in healthcare. Examples of resources include patients, practitioners, medications, and diagnoses.

How does FHIR improve patient care?

FHIR improves patient care by facilitating access to comprehensive, up-to-date patient information. By enabling different healthcare systems to communicate and share data seamlessly, FHIR ensures that healthcare providers have all the information they need to provide effective, personalized patient care.

Who develops and maintains the FHIR standard?

The FHIR standard is developed and maintained by Health Level Seven International (HL7), a not-for-profit, ANSI-accredited standards developing organization dedicated to providing a comprehensive framework and related standards for the exchange, integration, sharing, and retrieval of electronic health information.

Is FHIR secure?

Yes, FHIR is designed with security in mind and includes features for protecting patient data. However, like any standard, the security of a FHIR implementation depends largely on how it's used. Organizations using FHIR need to follow best practices for data security to ensure that patient data is protected.

How does FHIR compare to other healthcare data standards?

FHIR combines the best features of HL7's Version 2, Version 3, and CDA product lines while leveraging the latest web standards and a focus on implementability. It has been designed to be simpler to implement, more efficient for data exchange, and more flexible than previous standards.

What is a FHIR server?

A FHIR server is a repository that stores healthcare data in accordance with the FHIR data standard. It provides an API for reading, adding, updating, and deleting FHIR resources.

What is FHIR API?

FHIR API is an application programming interface that allows different healthcare systems to communicate with each other using the FHIR standard. It enables the exchange of data between systems in a standardized format, improving interoperability and data integration.

Who uses FHIR?

FHIR is used by healthcare providers, health IT developers, health information exchange organizations, and others who need to exchange healthcare information electronically. This includes hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, pharmacies, and more.

What types of data can FHIR handle?

FHIR can handle a wide range of healthcare data types, including demographic data, clinical data, administrative data, and infrastructure data. This can include everything from patient names and addresses, to diagnostic information, to billing details, and beyond.

How is FHIR implemented?

FHIR can be implemented using various programming languages and can be used in a wide variety of healthcare applications. Implementation involves developing or adapting software to use the FHIR data standard for the exchange of healthcare information.

Is FHIR a global standard?

Yes, FHIR is a global standard that is used in many countries around the world. Its global adoption has been facilitated by the fact that it is an open standard, and it has been translated into many different languages.

How does FHIR support mobile healthcare?

FHIR is designed with modern internet technologies in mind and can be used to support mobile healthcare by providing a standardized way for mobile applications to exchange healthcare data. This can enable functionalities such as remote patient monitoring, telemedicine, and patient access to medical records.

Can FHIR be used for electronic health records (EHRs)?

Yes, FHIR can be used for electronic health records (EHRs). In fact, one of the main purposes of FHIR is to improve interoperability between different EHR systems. FHIR enables EHRs to exchange information efficiently and consistently, which can improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs.

What role does FHIR play in health information exchange (HIE)?

FHIR plays a crucial role in health information exchange (HIE) by providing a standardized format for the exchange of healthcare data. This allows different healthcare systems to communicate effectively, improving coordination of care and patient outcomes.

Can FHIR help with healthcare data analytics?

Yes, FHIR can support healthcare data analytics by providing a consistent and standardized format for healthcare data. This can make it easier to aggregate and analyze data from different sources, supporting activities like population health management, quality improvement, and research.

What is the future of FHIR?

The future of FHIR is promising, as the need for interoperability in healthcare continues to grow. FHIR is likely to become increasingly prevalent as more healthcare providers and IT developers adopt it. In the future, we can expect to see more applications that leverage FHIR to improve data exchange and patient care.

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