Growing FHIR adoption among digital health firms

A survey by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) indicates significant progress in healthcare interoperability, attributing the advancements to the widespread adoption of standards-based application programming interfaces (APIs). 

Research reveals that a majority of digital health companies are embracing the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard for integrating with electronic health records (EHRs). Mandated by the Cures Act Final Rule, FHIR usage for certified APIs enhances data standardisation and simplifies connectivity between EHRs and third-party applications. The survey found that 73% of digital health firms utilise standards-based APIs, mainly relying on the FHIR standard, facilitating smoother information exchange.

75% of companies connecting with multiple EHRs have higher FHIR adoption compared to those with single EHR integrations (25%). While widespread adoption is noted, challenges such as concerns about high fees, lack of testing data, and limited data elements impede broader API utilisation. The ONC's initiatives, including Lantern, Inferno, and the recent HTI-1 rule, aim to address these barriers and expand data access through standardised APIs. 

The survey's insights provide valuable information for developers, providers, and policymakers to address existing challenges and expedite the achievement of seamless electronic health information exchange.