Exploring the Interoperability for Information Exchange Between Acute and Post-Acute Care Settings

Abstract

The seamless transfer and assimilation of healthcare data are foundational to delivering holistic, timely, and effective patient care across the healthcare spectrum. However, disparities in Electronic Health Record (EHR) system adoption, especially in long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) settings, consistently obstruct interoperability. This study explores the factors that impede and facilitate health information exchange in LTPAC environments, focusing on technical and organizational facets. Grounded theory guided our qualitative case study research, involving 35 stakeholder interviews. Key technical findings highlight the need for integrated, reliable data structures, robust infrastructure, and standardized practices. Organizational insights reveal a shift towards integrative, patient-centric strategies and emphasize the importance of effective stakeholder and vendor dynamics. The findings provide actionable insights for advancing health information exchange in LTPAC scenarios, advocating for a harmonized approach that converges technology and organizational strategies to enhance patient care. These insights are crucial for policy-making, healthcare operations, and further research in healthcare interoperability.