Nurses exchanging information: understanding electronic health record standards and interoperability

The complexity in adopting health information technology (IT) standards is not from lack of standards. Rather, there are a vast number of standards that overlap and some that are missing. The objective of this article is to provide nurses with an understanding of the importance of the National Health IT Agenda and be empowered to influence the processes to ensure nursing is represented. Several aspects include harmonization and adoption of standards necessary to achieve interoperability, and the strategies for nursing leaders to advocate for adoption of those standards.