Patient safety is the foundation of quality healthcare, yet preventable medical errors remain a leading cause of harm. As we recognize Patient Safety Week (March 9-15, 2025), it is essential to explore how healthcare interoperability can play a role in improving patient safety across care settings. One of the biggest challenges in healthcare today is incomplete information, where electronic health records (EHRs), health information exchanges (HIEs), and pharmacy systems do not always communicate effectively. This lack of interoperability can lead to medication errors, delayed diagnoses, and gaps in care, which can put patient safety at risk.
Interoperability reduces errors and improves clinical decision-making. It is not just about linking technology; it’s about creating seamless collaboration between healthcare providers. A primary care doctor should have immediate access to a specialist’s test results, just as a hospital should be able to review a patient’s medication history from their pharmacy. When hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and public health agencies exchange real-time information, care becomes more coordinated, patient transitions are smoother, and safety is strengthened at every stage.
A critical component is Admission, Discharge, and Transfer (ADT) event notifications, which provide real-time updates on patient hospital events. These alerts keep care teams informed when a patient is admitted, discharged, or transferred, ensuring continuity of care. By streamlining workflows, ADT notifications improve resource management, optimize bed availability, and enhance staff deployment. This proactive approach allows providers to respond swiftly to patient needs, reducing complications and improving overall outcomes.
Additionally, the Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture (CCDA) standardizes clinical documentation, making the exchange of patient health information more secure and meaningful. With structured information sharing in a uniform format, such as Continuity of Care Documents (CCDs), CCDA enhances data clarity and consistency. This improves provider collaboration, strengthens communication among healthcare teams, and enables more informed decision-making and care planning.
As we focus on patient safety, improving interoperability is one of the most powerful ways to reduce errors, enhance care coordination, and save lives. Leveraging tools such as, ADT notifications, and CCDA ensures that healthcare providers have accurate, timely, and comprehensive patient information. By strengthening data exchange across healthcare settings, we create a safer and more efficient healthcare system for all.
Want to learn more about interoperability and how it can improve patient safety? Visit NJII healthcare to learn more. Digital Transformation – NJII or contact us.