Vicert - Novo Nordisk at HITLAB Innovators Summit

Blog

Dec 28

Written By Vicert

Innovation in Healthcare through FHIR

In this video, we delve into the evolving landscape of healthcare IT, featuring insights from Voja Lalich, CEO of Vicert, with over two decades of experience, and Amy West, Head of US Digital Transformation and Innovation at Novo Nordisk.

Set against the backdrop of the HITLAB Innovators Summit at British Columbia University, NYC, they discuss this year's intensified focus on extracting actionable insights from healthcare data, a challenge now pivotal in Health IT strategies.

We'll also explore FHIR-related challenges and emerging patterns, emphasizing how companies are strategically prioritizing high ROI data projects in this competitive sector.

Now, let's dig deeper into the dialog and FHIR as a gateway to developing new healthcare models and improving patient care.

During HITALB’s Innovators Summit  we sat down with Amy West, Head of US Digital Transformation and Innovation at Novo Nordisk, and we wanted to delve into how FHIR can meet the rising expectations of healthcare consumers for efficiency and user-friendliness. Additionally, we wanted to discuss its potential in transforming products and services within the healthcare industry.

Amy West: Could you briefly elaborate on these aspects to familiarize the audience with the topic?

Voja Lalich: FHIR is a gateway to developing new healthcare models and improving patient care. However, not many companies understand or fully utilize the power of FHIR.

There are broader implications of FHIR in the context of healthcare consumerization. We will explore how FHIR is instrumental in meeting the rising expectations of healthcare consumers, who are now demanding the same level of efficiency and user-friendliness they experience in other service sectors. There is a lot of power in FHIR to transform products and services in healthcare.

Unlocking Healthcare Innovation with FHIR: Challenges and Pathways

Amy West: There is a significant opportunity to drive innovation through FHIR.
Can you frame that for us?

Voja Lalich: Understanding and leveraging FHIR is key to healthcare innovation. FHIR, akin to TCP/IP for the internet, serves as a foundational infrastructure for healthcare. 
Organizations should focus on using this infrastructure to develop new business and healthcare models. Integrations in FHIR pave the way for innovation and improved return on investment.

We have identified three levels of FHIR maturity within an organization, along with the specific challenges associated with each:

FHIR Maturity Levels:

Level 0: Organizations that have little or no FHIR infrastructure, except what comes out of the box with EHR systems.

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Challenges:  
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Technical - how to enable FHIR within the organization.

Level 1:  Organizations that have set up basic interoperability infrastructure.

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Challenges:
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Extract value from existing FHIR infrastructure. Streamline and automate existing processes by utilizing FHIR infrastructure.

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Exchange data with external systems.
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Level 2: Organizations that have automated some processes via FHIR and are using FHIR-based services to streamline their traditional operations.

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Challenges: 
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Build new business models and truly innovative solutions.

Use tech like SMART on FHIR and AI to achieve this.

Consumerization as a Way of Meeting Expectations:

Amy West: How does FHIR data exchange contribute to meeting the high expectations of healthcare consumers in today's market?

Voja Lalich: FHIR data exchange is not limited to traditional healthcare systems; it provides the opportunity for consumers and patients to use healthcare services that meet their high expectations.

FHIR allows health technology to be as user-friendly and easy to use as other consumer services on the market outside healthcare are.

Potential Challenges with FHIR:

Amy West: What are some of the complexities and challenges organizations face when implementing FHIR, and how can they navigate these?

Voja Lalich: FHIR can be complex and challenging to set up, especially for those new to it. Blueprints offer a simplified solution for establishing FHIR infrastructure, enabling data exchange and fostering innovation.  These blueprints serve as a foundation for building custom applications tailored to specific business and patient needs.

Innovation through Blueprints: FHIR Testing and Data Exchange

Amy West: How do blueprints simplify the process of establishing FHIR infrastructure and foster innovation in healthcare?

Voja Lalich: FHIR Testing is essential for certification, compatibility with other systems, and continuous compliance with regulations. FHIR testing ensures this data adheres to standards.  FHIR Data Exchange involves exposing data in FHIR format. It requires transforming various data forms into FHIR resources, laying the foundation for new healthcare and business models.

Blueprints are an easy and fast solution for companies who are new to FHIR to enable an infrastructure for data exchange, and accelerate innovation based on FHIR. This approach can double the speed of project implementation based on the experience in working with clients and all the internal research and analysis they've already conducted with clients.

Conclusions:

FHIR transcends mere patient record exchange; it enables entirely new healthcare models and applications. It allows for comprehensive care by integrating various health data sources.

FHIR is a foundational tool that revolutionizes healthcare delivery.

The journey starts with enabling FHIR infrastructure, followed by building innovative solutions on top of it. This approach can transform company vision and leverage FHIR for transformative products and services.

Vicert

We build digital health solutions.