Interoperable Data Systems

Definition:  

Interoperability is the capacity for information systems to seamlessly access, exchange, integrate, and leverage data. As technological advancement has opened doors to the integration of data from disparate sources, new opportunities exist to build seamless data flow across individual systems. Although historically systems within public health were implemented in isolation without capacity for interoperability, these challenges are being addressed by the ongoing development of data and message standards and technological approaches to facilitate swift and secure exchange of critical public health data among systems, both within and across organizations and geographies. 

National Picture:  

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 70 percent of hospitals were using fax or mail to send patient data, as reported in 2019 by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. As one of public health’s largest data partners, lack of interoperability with hospitals led to data quality issues and required substantial manual efforts to clean and gather complete data. Interoperability with these external systems was enabled via electronic laboratory reporting and electronic case reporting, utilizing message standards for efficient electronic data sharing. Public health agencies are confronting similar scenarios, with many internal programs operating standalone systems for single purposes. Many state, local, tribal, and territorial health departments are actively working to enhance interoperability among internal systems, databases, and external data sources to enable the secure and rapid exchange of more complete data. This work aligns with a goal in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Data Strategy to ensure a response-ready public health system.  

• Alaska performs test-negative analysis of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness using routinely collected data​
• Kentucky uses immunization registry bulk import to detect breakthrough cases and vaccine hesitancy
  
• Maryland’s Department of Health and health information exchange collaborate on data-driven response for COVID-19 contact tracing​
• Mobile, Alabama Health Department moves from downloads and free software to near real-time access to data and apps​
  
• New York City links COVID-19 epidemiologic data with whole genome sequencing data to track emerging variants and disease severity
• New York City automates integration of pharmacy and case data to address disparities in mpox treatment​
• System integration of New Jersey immunization information and communicable disease surveillance systems
• Oregon evaluates payer information for child blood lead testing
• Oregon adds automation and vaccine forecast to disease surveillance systems to improve interoperability
• Seeing the forest past the trees: a holistic approach to utilizing whole-genome sequencing analyses for cluster detection and outbreak response
• Rhode Island utilizes novel approaches to analytics including automated data processing
• Tennessee builds data infrastructure for one, to the benefit of many
• Tracking COVID-19 during pregnancy in Missouri
• The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Implements Citywide Immunization Registry and Surveillance System Integration
• The WA HEALTH team helped folks locate COVID-19 vaccines online through Vaccinate WA