title: IHE based interoperability - benefits and challenges.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Optimized workflows and communication between institutions involved in a patient's treatment process can lead to improved quality and efficiency in the healthcare sector. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) provide a patient-centered access to clinical data across institutional boundaries supporting the above mentioned aspects. Interoperability is regarded as vital success factor. However a clear definition of interoperability does not exist. The aim of this work is to define and to assess interoperability criteria as required for EHRs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The definition and assessment of interoperability criteria is supported by the analysis of existing literature and personal experience as well as by discussions with several domain experts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Criteria for interoperability addresses the following aspects: Interfaces, Semantics, Legal and organizational aspects and Security. The Integrating the Healthcare Enterprises initiative (IHE) profiles make a major contribution to these aspects, but they also arise new problems. Flexibility for adoption to different organizational/regional or other specific conditions is missing. Regional or national initiatives should get a possibility to realize their specific needs within the boundaries of IHE profiles. Security so far is an optional element which is one of IHE greatest omissions. An integrated security approach seems to be preferable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Irrespective of the so far practical significance of the IHE profiles it appears to be of great importance, that the profiles are constantly checked against practical experiences and are continuously adapted.
authors.affiliation: University of Health Sciences Medical Informatics and Technology, Research Division for eHealth and Telemedicine, Hall, Austria.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wozak
authors.forename: Elske
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ammenwerth
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hörbst
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sögner
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mair
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schabetsberger
mesh_terms: D001317:Austria; D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D016494:Computer Security; D006801:Humans; D008491:Medical Informatics Applications; D008492:Medical Informatics Computing; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D012660:Semantics; D012984:Software; D018511:Systems Integration; D014584:User-Computer Interface