Exploring Innovative Strategies to Enhance Electronic Health Record Interoperability in U.S. Healthcare Settings

Objectives: Improving the interoperability of electronic health records is critical for efficient, cost-effective delivery of quality services, enhanced care coordination, and improved treatment outcomes within the United States healthcare system. Healthcare leaders and administrators often experience EHR interoperability issues, restricting communication between health systems and impacting electronic health data utilization. Methods: This systematic literature review explored innovative strategies to improve electronic health record interoperability between health information systems to enhance data exchange efficiency, accuracy, and security in U.S. healthcare settings. A search transpired using the Public Medline, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Xplore Digital Library, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results: Data from 24 relevant articles were analyzed using screening criteria revolving around the research question. Five themes emerged during data analysis. The themes included the utilization of blockchain-based EHR systems (67%), the drive of the Cures Act to achieve interoperability (17%), the advent of artificial intelligence and how it can be used (33%), how the Internet of Things drives the industry to strategically enhance the system (33%), and how the value of interoperability drives outcomes (79%). Conclusions: Findings indicate strategies from a technical perspective and from policy initiatives can improve communication between health information systems. Findings suggest that by strategically leveraging available resources and implementing innovative strategies, healthcare leaders can achieve comprehensive EHR interoperability long term.