US unveils 2024 draft federal FHIR action plan to enhance healthcare interoperability
The plan focuses on six critical components.
The United States Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT recently introduced the 2024 Draft Federal Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources(FHIR) Action Plan, a pivotal document aimed at enhancing the use of the Health Level Seven International(HL7) interoperability standard across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). That plan is designed to address existing data silos in the healthcare system, thereby facilitating seamless communication and collaboration among patients, providers, payers, public health agencies, and research institutions.
By promoting the consistent application of FHIR, the US assistant secretary envisions a more integrated healthcare ecosystem that can ultimately improve patient outcomes and care coordination. The draft plan focuses on six critical components of core specifications – Network Specifications, Payment and Health Quality, Care Delivery and Engagement, Public Health and Emergency Response, and Research.
Each component is tailored to address specific challenges within the healthcare system. For instance, the Care Delivery and Engagement specifications are designed to enhance patient access to their health data while reducing administrative burdens on providers. This targeted approach aims to foster more effective healthcare delivery and support the overarching goal of a fully interoperable health system.
Emphasising the need for a curated resource, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT details how federal agencies leverage FHIR to address diverse healthcare needs. The ‘curated catalogue’ serves as a roadmap for the future application of FHIR and aims to clarify the standards that federal agencies will adopt.
Furthermore, stakeholders in the health IT community are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft action plan by the 25 November deadline. By inviting year-round public comments, the goal is to ensure the plan remains relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of healthcare providers and their communities.