1up Glossary
Explore the most important terms and concepts in healthcare data and interoperability.
Application Programming Interface (API)
A set of protocols, tools, and definitions that allow different software applications to communicate and interact with each other.
Clinical Data Aggregation
The process of collecting, consolidating, and organizing clinical data from multiple sources (e.g., EHRs, medical devices) into a unified repository for analysis and reporting.
Clinical Data Integration
The integration of clinical data from disparate sources, such as electronic health records (EHRs), laboratory systems, and imaging systems, to create a comprehensive view of patient health information.
CMS Compliance
Refers to adherence to regulations, standards, and requirements set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in healthcare operations, data management, and reimbursement.
CMS Interoperability
Efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting interoperability and data exchange within the healthcare ecosystem, aligning with CMS guidelines and policies.
Compatible Interoperability
Computable interoperability allows real-time access to complete data sets of clinical and financial data, on a single platform. This means computing and data exchange can be enabled using the same technology rather than separate systems. With this approach, insights and communications in healthcare can happen on demand.
Data Security and Privacy
Measures and protocols implemented to protect healthcare data from unauthorized access, breaches, or misuse, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
Digital Quality Measures (dQM)
Electronic measures used to assess and monitor healthcare quality and outcomes. These measures are defined in structured digital formats and are often used for reporting and analyzing data related to patient care, treatment effectiveness, and healthcare performance.
EHR API Integration
The integration of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems to enable seamless data exchange, workflow automation, and interoperability with other healthcare applications.
EHR Data Integration
The process of integrating electronic health record (EHR) data from different systems or sources to create a unified and comprehensive view of patient information for healthcare providers.
EHR Integration API
An Application Programming Interface (API) designed for integrating external systems, applications, or services with Electronic Health Record (EHR) platforms to facilitate data exchange and interoperability.
Electronic Health Record (EHR)
An electronic version of a patient’s medical history, maintained by the provider over time. It includes key administrative and clinical data relevant to that person’s care under a particular provider, such as demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data, and radiology reports.
Electronic Prior Authorization
A digital process for obtaining approval from insurance providers (payers) before certain medical procedures, treatments, or services are performed, streamlining the authorization workflow.
EMR Integration
The integration of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems with other healthcare IT systems, applications, or devices to enable data sharing, interoperability, and workflow optimization.
Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®)
A set of rules and specifications for exchanging electronic health care data, developed by HL7 (Health Level Seven International). It is designed to be flexible and adaptable, so that it can be used in a wide range of settings and with different health care information systems.
FHIR API
An Application Programming Interface (API) based on the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) standard, used for exchanging healthcare data and facilitating interoperability between systems.
FHIR Data Interoperability
The ability of systems or applications to exchange and use healthcare data in a standardized and interoperable format following the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) standards.
FHIR Data Platform
A platform that leverages the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) standard for managing and exchanging healthcare data in a structured and interoperable format.
FHIR Interoperability
The seamless exchange and sharing of healthcare data between different systems, applications, or entities using the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) standard.
FHIR Platform
A software platform or system that supports the implementation, management, and utilization of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) for healthcare data exchange and interoperability.
FHIR Vendors
Companies or organizations that provide products, services, or solutions related to the implementation, adoption, and utilization of the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) standard in healthcare settings.
Health Data Interoperability
The ability of healthcare systems, devices, and applications to exchange, integrate, and use health-related data efficiently and securely across the healthcare ecosystem.
Health Data Platform
A platform that manages, integrates, and analyzes health-related data from various sources, supporting data-driven insights, decision-making, and healthcare delivery.
Health Information Exchange (HIE)
The electronic sharing of healthcare information among different healthcare organizations, enabling seamless access to patient data across systems and locations.
Health Level Seven International (HL7)
A global nonprofit organization that develops standards and protocols for the exchange, integration, and sharing of electronic health information, including the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) standard.
Healthcare Data Aggregation
The process of collecting and combining healthcare data from various sources, such as EHRs, medical devices, and patient-generated data, for analysis, reporting, and decision-making.
Healthcare Data Compliance
Refers to adherence to regulatory requirements, standards, and best practices for managing, storing, and exchanging healthcare data while ensuring data security, privacy, and confidentiality.
Healthcare Data Integration
The process of combining and harmonizing healthcare data from different sources into a unified format for analysis and decision-making.
Healthcare Interoperability
The ability of healthcare systems, applications, and devices to exchange and use healthcare data seamlessly, promoting coordinated care, data sharing, and interoperable workflows.
Healthcare Interoperability Software
Software applications, solutions, or platforms that facilitate the exchange, integration, and use of healthcare data across disparate systems, promoting interoperability and data-driven insights.
Healthcare Interoperability Vendors
Companies or providers that offer software solutions, products, or services focused on promoting healthcare interoperability, data exchange, and collaboration within the healthcare industry.
Implementation Guide (IG)
IGs used in addition to the HL7 FHIR R4 conformance. The IGs add an additional layer of semantic standardization for specific use cases. The IG defines requirements in addition to R4 format and conformance. The added IGs are essential for syntactic and semantic interoperability standards.
Interoperability
The ability of different information systems, devices, or applications to connect, communicate, and exchange data in a coordinated manner.
National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)
A non-profit organization in the U.S. that works to improve healthcare quality through measurement, transparency, and accountability. NCQA develops standards and measures for assessing and accrediting healthcare organizations, health plans, and medical practices based on quality performance and patient outcomes.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
A part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the NIH is the nation’s medical research agency, supporting and conducting biomedical and health-related research to advance scientific knowledge and improve healthcare outcomes.
Office of the National Coordinator (ONC)
The principal federal entity in the U.S. charged with coordination of nationwide efforts to implement and use the most advanced health information technology and the electronic exchange of health information.
Patient Access API
An Application Programming Interface (API) designed to enable patients to access their healthcare data, such as medical records, test results, and treatment information, using the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) standard.
Payer-to-Payer API
An Application Programming Interface (API) that enables healthcare payers to exchange data and information with other payers, promoting interoperability and collaboration in the healthcare ecosystem.
Payer-to-Payer Data Exchange
The process of exchanging healthcare data between different healthcare payers (insurance providers) to support various operations, such as claims processing, member enrollment, and care management.
Population Health Data
Data related to the health outcomes, characteristics, and behaviors of a specific population or group, used for assessing health trends, identifying risk factors, and improving healthcare delivery.
Prior Authorization
The process of obtaining approval from insurance providers (payers) before certain medical procedures, treatments, or services are performed, ensuring coverage and reimbursement.
Provider Access API
An Application Programming Interface (API) that enables healthcare providers to access and retrieve patient data from healthcare systems, facilitating interoperability and data exchange.
RESTful APIs
An application programming interface (API) that conforms to the constraints of the REST architectural style and allows for interaction with RESTful web services. REST stands for representational state transfer and was created by computer scientist Roy Fielding.
SQL on FHIR
A method or tool that allows querying and accessing FHIR data using SQL (Structured Query Language) queries, enabling efficient data retrieval and analysis.
Supplemental Clinical Data
Common payer language for clinical data used in quality measures for accreditation. The data that falls into this category is the US Core (Implementation Guide for USCDI).
Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA)
Outlines a common set of principles, terms, and conditions to support the development of a Common Agreement that would help enable nationwide exchange of electronic health information (EHI) across disparate health information networks (HINs).
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
A cabinet-level department in the U.S. government that oversees various healthcare-related programs, policies, and regulations, including healthcare technology and interoperability initiatives.
United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI)
A standardized set of health data elements identified by ONC for electronic health information exchange and interoperability, including clinical, administrative, and demographic data.