Building the Information Exchange Superhighway - How ONC Interoperability Initiatives Lay the Foundation

In order to achieve the robust health information exchange needed for critical public health needs like chronic disease prevention and management, health information exchange initiatives are needed that guide the design and development of a fully integrated and connected health information system to enhance efficiency, quality and effectiveness of the delivery of healthcare. The focus of current ONC interoperability initiatives is on delivering guidance to the health information technology community that can achieve lasting results in healthcare delivery improvements, through the development of content and technical specifications, the development of reusable tools and services, and the effort to unite stakeholders on common healthcare challenges.

This presentation will focus on the three main health information exchange platforms that have been developed and evolved by ONC (Direct, CONNECT, and Exchange). Outlining the coordination of these three initiatives and how they help meet public health information exchange requirements is critical to helping advance the role of standardized interoperability in enabling nationwide health information exchange, specifically surrounding public health information.

Using the concept of a “highway”, initial basic health information exchange requirements are met by the Direct Project and its set of specifications. As an organizations information exchange needs expand, CONNECT would serve as a platform for enabling health information exchange at the state and commercial level, by and between individuals and/or organizations. Finally, Exchange would develop enterprise-ready, scalable specifications that allow for individuals and organizations to fully participate on the Nationwide Health Information Network and share information at a national level.

Support for the different levels of exchange outlined in the three ONC health information exchange initiatives is a bedrock principle for achieving robust public health outcomes.