Connectivity from source to action

Recent advances in electronic connectivity technology make conceivable almost instantaneous movement of data from the patient or laboratory to any other point in the healthcare system. The Internet, combined with new standards for wireless data transmission, has erased many of the previous physical barriers. Interface engines and formatting/content standards have facilitated the connection of multiple disparate systems in medicine. However, major logical barriers persist, and overcoming these barriers is key to achieving functional connectivity. These include fundamental issues of patient safety (such as reliably identifying the patient), capture of the most clinically meaningful data (patient history, physical examination findings, physician diagnostic impressions, and full range of orders), unambiguous identification of data elements, and synchronization of control files among multiple different systems within the healthcare enterprise. Fortunately, tools exist to address each of these areas. This report cites illustrative examples of such tools.