The Standard

March 2024 marked a pivotal moment for the healthcare IT sector, with the FHIR at Scale Taskforce (FAST) community survey revealing critical insights into the adoption, challenges, and perspectives surrounding various FAST implementation guides (IGs). This survey, engaging various stakeholders from providers to technology vendors, sheds light on the collective journey towards seamless healthcare interoperability. Let's dive into the nuanced feedback and the path it carves for the future of healthcare IT. 

Survey Results Overview 

FAST Security IG Adoption and the Quest for Clarity   

The uptake of the HL7 FAST UDAP Security for Scalable Registration, Authentication, and Authorization Implementation Guide (FAST Security IG) is on the rise, driven by an evident market need.  A notable proportion of respondents are keen to implement the HL7 FAST Security IG, likely due to its inclusion in the TEFCA FHIR Roadmap. There were some concerns expressed about market readiness. However, respondents expressed a need for clearer guidance beyond the existing FAST Security IG, suggesting the development of a companion document to aid in implementation strategies would be helpful. 

FAST Identity IG: Overcoming Adoption Barriers   

While there seems to be adoption readiness for the Interoperable Digital Identity and Patient Matching IG, the survey highlights perceived barriers to adoption. These barriers were related to industry issues such as cross-jurisdiction consent and broader market acceptance and adoption by other industry initiatives rather than any issues with the IG itself. 

HL7 applauds the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) for its April 22, 2024 Common Agreement Version 2.0 release, which announced the requirement for health information networks participating in the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) to support the HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR^®) standard.

The HL7 FHIR at Scale Taskforce (FAST) UDAP Security for Scalable Registration, Authentication and Authorization Implementation Guide (FAST Security IG) was designed to streamline and secure data exchange across different healthcare stakeholders. This blog post seeks to dispel common misconceptions about the complexity of implementing the FAST Security IG. 

April 25 Session Focuses on the Observation Screening Response Profile

Join us on April 25, 2024, at 2:30 – 4 p.m. ET for the next Gravity Project Implementation Affinity Group meeting, which features more real-world implementations and a key to their success: the Observation Screening Response profile.

Bringing Observation Screening Response into Focus for Gravity Implementers

Building upon the implementation approach and presentation by New York State Qualified Entities in February, this month’s Gravity Implementation Affinity Group session focuses on more real-world implementations and a key to their success: the Observation Screening Response profile.

The benefits of using this profile include explicit categorization of question/answer pairs by social determinants of health (SDOH) domains, flagging of positive findings, and using a common language (Gravity standardized terminology) to share and communicate these findings.

This session will highlight Observation Screening Response, including guidance on using key elements (e.g., Observation.category and Observation.interpretation) and using Observation Screening Response to create Observation Groupings.

April 24 Session Focuses on Importance of Testing and Connectathons for Implementation Success

In this timely overview, which allows you to prepare to participate in upcoming May, July and September Connectathons, the HL7 Da Vinci Projectwill highlight a key component of implementation: testing.

Experts and hands-on participants will outline why testing is important, the terms used in testing and how testing events, such as Connectathons, are organized and critical to implementation success. Who should be involved, the value of testing partnerships, what activities are planned, and how you can participate will also be discussed. The session concludes with an invaluable primer on testing tools and resources available for your use.

“Jumpstart Your HL7 FHIR Implementation: Testing and Connectathons Demystified,” is slated for April 24, 4 - 5:30 p.m. ET and features the following presenters:

• Jeff Brown, Healthcare Standards Advisor, Lantana Consulting Group
• Mike Gould, Associate Vice President, Interoperability Strategy, ZeOmega
• Kyle Johnsen, Software Developer, Epic

The session is moderated by Alix Goss, HL7 Da Vinci Project PMO, and Senior Consultant, Point-of-Care Partners.

This quarter has brought with it a lot of excitement for us to dive into the great realm of REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies) automation and its profound impact on our healthcare landscape. Buckle up, because we're about to review a thrilling journey we've been moving down towards greater efficiency, collaboration, and, most importantly, patient care!

Picture this: a world where cumbersome REMS processes are a thing of the past, replaced by seamless automation that not only streamlines workflows but also enhances patient outcomes. I know it sounds farfetched; however, I feel this dream is swiftly becoming a reality!

At the heart of this revolution lies a collective effort to transition from mere discussions to concrete actions. Through initiatives like HL7 CodeX and NCPDP (National Council for Prescription Drug Programs), we're witnessing a relentless commitment to leveraging standardized practices for interoperability and data exchange. I recently had the privilege of participating in the HL7 Connectathon, where the REMS Integration use case showcased the power of community collaboration. And guess what? We're gearing up to ballot the patient enrollment IG in May – talk about momentum!

But our quest doesn't stop there. We're just getting started! Events like the REMS Innovation Consortium (RIC) have served as epicenters of brainstorming, where industry pioneers gather to explore new horizons in patient care. Together, we're shattering the confines of traditional REMS programs and paving the way for groundbreaking innovations.

Journeying Through Industry Waters: FAST's Impactful Presence at Recent Events

As the dust settles from the whirlwind of activity over the past several weeks in the healthcare industry, marked by prominent events such as ViVE and HIMSS24, it'sevident that innovation and collaboration are at the forefront of progress. Amidst this bustling landscape, the FHIR at Scale Taskforce (FAST) has not only made its presence felt but has also unveiled new initiatives, including the launch of the FAST Focus webinar series and the initiation of public meetings for its scalable Consent project. This blog is a brief highlight of all the most recent excitement and includes helpful links for your reference. 

Introducing FAST Focus: A Quarterly Glimpse into FHIR Infrastructure 

Launching the inaugural FAST Focus webinar marked a significant milestone, offering a quarterly rendezvous for the FHIR and interoperability communities. This platform serves as a vital conduit for keeping stakeholders abreast of FAST's endeavors in bolstering FHIR infrastructure. Past sessions' recordings and decks are readily available on the FAST calendar page in the archive section, providing a wealth of insights for eager participants. 

HIMSS24: Spotlight on FAST's Participation 

FAST had a presence at HIMSS24 and was thrilled to interact with so many attendees, from the FHIR curious to seasoned FHIR implementers curious, to learn more about FAST’s work. FAST provided volunteer FAST representatives to staff the HL7 Accelerator kiosk in the interoperability showcase. The kiosk buzzed with activity and insightful interactions. FAST also left an indelible mark with multiple presentations at the Spotlight Theater and the HL7 booth, amplifying awareness and fostering dialogue around FHIR infrastructure work. 

Register Now for March 27 Session

Fresh from the HIMSS24 stage, the presenters at the March HL7 Da Vinci Project Community Roundtable will explore existing pain points of scaling HL7 FHIR between payers and providers, the advantages of leveraging FHIR exchange networks, and the challenges that come with it to ensure security and privacy of health data.

“Interoperable FHIR: Networked FHIR Exchanges Learnings and Industry Reflections,” this month’s program, is slated for March 27, 4 - 5:30 p.m. ET.

Panelists will focus on specific use cases and stakeholders to compare different approaches.

In addition to the presentation, Da Vinci program leadership will present updates and reflections from recent months, including top themes from ViVE and HIMSS events.

Panelist include:

• Jim Adamson, Business Transformation Manager, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
• Dave DeGandi, Interoperability Strategist, Cambia Health Solutions
• Bill Howard, Board Chair, eHealth Exchange
• Jocelyn Keegan, Program Manager, HL7 Da Vinci Project, and Payer/Practice Lead, Point-of-Care Partners
• Karuna Relwani, Business Lead Interoperability, Blue Cross Blue Shield

The Community Roundtable is moderated by Alix Goss, HL7 Da Vinci Project PMO, and Senior Consultant, Point-of-Care Partners.

By the US Realm Co-Chairs: Brett Marquard, Steve Posnack and Dan Vreeman, DPT

Greetings HL7 community, your US Realm Steering Committee co-chairs come bearing news. For the past few years, we have started to do a “state of the realm” recap for everyone at the January WGM. The full details are available here, but we wanted to celebrate and acknowledge some of 2023’s great work and what’s to come in 2024 through this post as well.

2023

• US Core 6.1.0 and C-CDA Companion Guide R4.1 were published to add USCDI version 3 guidance.
• CDA Web and C-CDA Web were balloted in a common HL7 publication framework.
• US Public Health Library 1.0.0 was published, which represents a domain specific profile library in the US Realm and a foundation for future public health projects.

2024

• US Core will finalize USCDI v4 in May 2024, and then begin v5 design (in the fall).
• C-CDA web publishing, using the FHIR StructureDefinition to support USCDI v4 (now) and then v5 (in the fall).
• Now that ONC’s HTI-1 Final Rule is out and concrete dates are set, the industry transition from US Core 3.1.1 as a baseline to 6.1.0 is upon us. US Realm, in collaboration with other work groups, will be prioritizing its time to focus on supporting this migration. Please engage early and often this year as transition issues pop-up for you.