Stage Set For Big Interoperability Push

Organizers add Connectathon Conference Jan. 29 to the annual IHE Connectathon event in Chicago

The push for meaningful use Stage 3 has reached a point where a confluence of power structures are ready for more breakthroughs – hence, the impetus for collaboration among IHE USA, ONC and S&I Framework, officials from these groups say.

Closer ties between Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise USA, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT and Standards and the ONC’s Interoperability Framework is necessary for interoperability to reach meaningful use Stage 3, said Joyce Sensmeier, IHE USA president and HIMSS vice president of informatics.

“There is an increasing need for interoperability capability to achieve meaningful use Stage 3 goals,” she said. “We really need all groups working in the same direction -- HIE, HL7 and Health Story Project all working toward similar goals and leveraging for the same purpose. The leadership of the ONC and S&I Framework became more involved and brought new proposals to consider for help with Stage 3. It’s for the good of everybody.”