Anticipating Changes in Healthcare Interoperability

by Brian Drozdowicz | January 25, 2024

3 min

The challenge of achieving seamless interoperability remains a focal point for industry leaders in 2024. In this blog, I’ll share my insights on the current state of interoperability and the changes I anticipate will reshape the way data is shared in the healthcare ecosystem in the years to come.

The Shifting Terrain of Interoperability

Traditional health information exchanges (HIEs) have long been the cornerstone of interoperability efforts. However, as we move forward, these traditional models face growing complexities.

Challenges in achieving positive clinical outcomes and sustaining funding are driving the need for innovative approaches to data sharing. The traditional HIE subscriber model is becoming more intricate, and it’s essential to find new ways to share data where economics and values are balanced.

TEFCA: A Game-Changer in Healthcare Interoperability

One emerging model at the forefront of this transformation is the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). This framework, born out of the Cures Act, establishes a secure technical infrastructure for healthcare networks. Its impact extends beyond mere data exchange — it plays a crucial role in advancing value-based care. As TEFCA comes to life, it will be at the forefront of every provider, payer, and stakeholder’s mind.

The Evolution Beyond HIEs: Adapting to New Realities

The industry is amid a significant evolution. HIEs are facing questions about survival as funding diminishes, business models falter, and the technology becomes expensive to operate. As we witness the emergence of new business and interoperability models, we’re uniquely positioned to learn, adapt, and take advantage of the evolving market.

Real-Time Data Driving Actionable Insights at the Point of Care

The shift toward calculating real-time quality measures is gaining momentum, driven primarily by large payers. With limited visibility during post-acute transitions, staffing challenges, and the increasing demand for post-discharge care, the need to streamline communication across the healthcare continuum is more critical than ever.

Lack of visibility into patient clinical status can lead to preventable hospital readmissions and make it difficult for providers to influence care outcomes. When providers can monitor and manage patients throughout their care journey, coordinate care transitions, and measure post-acute facility performance, they can significantly improve outcomes and simultaneously revolutionize their network through more synergistic relationships with post-acute partners.

PointClickCare’s PAC Network Management platform was recently honored with the Fierce Healthcare Innovation Award for making this vision of delivering actionable insights at the point of care a reality. With PAC Network management, providers and care teams can gain access to the data they need for proactive care collaboration and intervention for their patients, supporting them to reduce preventable readmissions and optimize patient length of stay. Our platform powerfully addresses healthcare stakeholders’ greatest needs – improving the sharing of health information across the continuum and facilitating improved efficiencies, outcomes, and lowering costs.

There is a growing emphasis on Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) to enable healthcare teams to coordinate care more effectively. For example, if a patient faces transportation challenges, healthcare providers can work together to find solutions to ensure the patient can attend appointments and follow through with treatment plans.

With this in mind, PointClickCare is actively engaged in early-stage pilots to integrate health records with community-based services, addressing factors like transportation, nutrition, and caregiver support.

A Proactive Approach to Healthcare Interoperability

Interoperability is not just a technical challenge, it’s a strategic imperative. By anticipating changes, embracing new models, and fostering meaningful partnerships, we can shape the future of healthcare interoperability for the better.

PointClickCare is taking a proactive approach to this changing environment — by embracing TEFCA, real-time data initiatives, and partnerships with a focus on SDOH, we’re committed to adapting and leading this new shift in interoperability.

January 25, 2024

Our Author

Brian Drozdowicz

With more than 20 years of extensive experience across the healthcare technology industry, Brian has a proven track record of successfully scaling and transforming businesses through focused efforts including, organic and inorganic strategic growth initiatives, product management, and portfolio planning.

As the leader of PointClickCare’s A&P business unit, Brian is responsible for the development and continued success of Health System, Health Plan and Convener markets, and for driving value in PointClickCare’s connected care network. Under his leadership and leveraging his technical expertise combined with his passion for product strategy, this business will empower providers with solutions that offer critical, actionable insights that lead to better patient care and outcomes.

Brian recently served as the Head of Integrated Care for Bayer Pharmaceuticals where he built and led a world-class team, developed, and grew a portfolio of digital health companies, and drove successful expansion into new markets. Prior to joining Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Brian has held senior leadership roles at Bottomline Technologies, Siemens Healthineers, Verisk Health, Caradigm, and Picis. Across roles, Brian has led the expansion of these organizations through launching new products to new markets, M&A strategy, and integration, within payer, provider, and pharmaceutical verticals.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Business Administration from Northeastern University.